Biomimetic supported membranes from amphiphilic block copolymers

A unique combination of surface chem. and self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers was employed to obtain-for the first time-solid-supported biomimetic polymer bilayers. An organized monolayer from sulfur-functionalized poly(butadiene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) was covalently attached to ultrasmooth gold upon Langmuir-Blodgett transfer. Hydrophobic interactions, on the other hand, were exploited to attach the second monolayer. As a result, we obtained a homogeneous hydrophilic-hydrophobic-hydrophilic structure, similar to supported lipid bilayers by architecture, stability and fluidity. Our polymer bilayers, however, outperform such lipid membranes with regard to tunability of thickness and stability in gaseous environments.As characterized by surface anal. tools (AFM, SPR), solid-supported polymer membranes are smooth with a thickness of ca. 11 nm, resistant to rinsing with aq. solns. and stable upon drying and rehydration. These properties could be attractive for nanotechnol. applications, such as immobilization of functional mols. or nanoparticles, sensor development or prepn. of chem. responsive functional surfaces. [on SciFinder (R)]