Photolithographic patterning of dendrimer monolayers and pattern-selective adsorption of linear macromolecules

Alkyl groups of n-octadecyltrimethoxysilane (ODS) in a self-assembled monolayer on a silicon substrate were oxidized to carboxyl groups by partial irradiation of vacuum ultra-violet light under the photomask, producing a COOH/ODS line pattern. After active esterification of carboxyl groups, two kinds of amine-terminated dendrimers, poly(propyleneimine) and poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers, were immobilized on a COOH line through amide-bond so that photolithographic dendrimer/ODS pattern was finally fabricated. Preparation was certified by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy at transmission mode. Adsorption of linear macromolecules was examined on PAMAM dendrimer/ODS pattern. After adsorption of poly-L-glutamic acid (PGA) at a pH below alpha-helix--random coil transition, rod-shape texture was observed only on the dendrimer line in an AFM image. This texture is an aggregate of alpha-helical PGA. Sodium hyaluronate and DNA were also adsorbed selectively on the dendrimer line, keeping the line profile, although characteristic textures were not observed.