Organic nanocones fabricated by atmospheric plasma polymerization for immobilizing bioprobes

Inspired by the formation process of natural thundershowers, we fabricated an organic nanocone matrix-like bamboo-shoot by using atmospheric plasma polymerization in the absence of any catalyst or template. The discharging characteristics affected the nanocone shape and distribution in an obvious way. The nanocones prepared by helium (He) plasma were about 120 nm in diameter and 80 nm high. The nanostructured surface acted as an adhesion layer immobilizing DNA probes for DNA hybridization assay. The density of NH(2)-DNA probes prepared by He, argon (Ar) and nitrogen (N(2)) plasma was confirmed by the dyed oligonucleotide and was found to be 3.2, 1.0 and 0.6 pM cm(-2), respectively. Each nanocone prepared by helium plasma contains nearly 4 × 10(2) amine groups.