Published in

American Chemical Society, Langmuir, 24(29), p. 7271-7282, 2013

DOI: 10.1021/la304545n

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Nanoscale dynamics and protein adhesivity of alkylamine self-assembled monolayers on graphene

Journal article published in 2013 by S. O’Mahony, C. O’Dwyer ORCID, J. C. Greer, C. A. Nijhuis, A. J. Quinn, D. Thompson
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
  • Must obtain written permission from Editor
  • Must not violate ACS ethical Guidelines
Orange circle
Postprint: archiving restricted
  • Must obtain written permission from Editor
  • Must not violate ACS ethical Guidelines
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Atom-scale molecular dynamics computer simulations are used to probe the structure, dynamics and energetics of alkylamine self-assembled monolayer (SAM) films on graphene, and to model the formation of molecular bilayers and protein complexes on the films. Routes toward the development and exploitation of functionalized graphene structures are detailed here, and we show that the SAM architecture can be tailored for use in emerging applications, e.g., electrically stimulated nerve fiber growth via the targeted binding of specific cell surface peptide sequences on the functionalized graphene scaffold. The simulations quantify the changes in film physisorption on graphene and alkyl chain packing efficiency as the film surface is made more polar by changing the terminal groups from methyl (-CH3) to amine (-NH2) to hydroxyl (-OH) groups. The mode of molecule packing dictates the orientation and spacing between terminal groups at the surface of the SAM, which determines the way in which successive layers build up on the surface, whether via formation of bilayers of the molecule or the immobilization of other (macro)molecules, e.g., proteins, on the SAM. The simulations show formation of ordered, stable assemblies of monolayers and bilayers of decylamine-based molecules on graphene. These films can serve as protein adsorption platforms, with a hydrophobin protein showing strong and selective adsorption by binding via its hydrophobic patch to methyl-terminated films and binding to amine-terminated films using its more hydrophilic surface regions. Design rules obtained from modeling the atom-scale structure of the films and interfaces may provide inputs to experiments for rational design of assemblies in which the electronic, physicochemical and mechanical properties of the substrate, film and protein layer can be tuned to provide the desired functionality.