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Merck

Laser-Triggered Writing and Biofunctionalization of Thiol-Ene Networks.

Macromolecular rapid communications (2020-04-17)
Angelo Romano, Angelo Angelini, Elisabeth Rossegger, Gianluca Palmara, Micaela Castellino, Francesca Frascella, Annalisa Chiappone, Alessandro Chiadò, Marco Sangermano, Sandra Schlögl, Ignazio Roppolo
ABSTRACT

The light responsivity of ortho-nitrobenzyl esters (o-NBE) is exploited to inscribe µ-scale 2.5D patterns in thiol-ene networks by direct laser writing. For this purpose, a multifunctional thiol and a photosensitive alkene with an o-NBE chromophore are cured upon visible light exposure without inducing a premature photocleavage of the o-NBE links. Once the network is formed, a laser beam source with a wavelength of 375 nm is used for selectively inducing the photocleavage reaction of the o-NBE groups. Positive tone patterns are directly inscribed onto the sample surface without the requirement of a subsequent development step (removing soluble species in an appropriate organic solvent). Along with the realization of dry-developable micropatterns, the chemical surface composition of the exposed areas can be conveniently adjusted since different domains with a tailored content of carboxylic groups are obtained simply by modulating the laser energy dose. In a following step, those are activated and exploited as anchor points for attaching an Alexa-546 conjugated Protein A. Thus, the laser writable thiol-ene networks do not only provide a convenient method for the fabrication of positive tone patterns but also open future prospectives for a wide range of biosensing applications.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
N-Hydroxysulfosuccinimide sodium salt, ≥98% (HPLC)
Sigma-Aldrich
Phenylbis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, 97%, powder