Polydiacetylene Monolayers Functionalized with Amino Acids

Abstract

Monomolecular polydiacetylene films have been constructed from a series of lipid monomers functionalized with amino acids. A wide range of surfaces including plastics, glass, and metals can be conveniently coated with peptides using these films. The techniques of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and contact angle measurements were used to characterize the films. These studies indicate that the amino acid head groups are localized at the film-ambient interface and suggest that the films are structurally ordered both laterally and vertically. Thus, polydiacetylene films may provide promising model systems for investigating the fundamental properties of interfaces. © 1992, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.