A general methodology is presented for the dispersion of an inorganic compound within an organic polymer host through the use of solubilizing and polymerizable ligands. The dispersion of metal cluster cations 10 angstroms in diameter within a polymer host is achieved by free-radical polymerization of the hexafunctional metal cluster [Mo(6)Cl(8)(NVI)(6)](triflate)(4) with bound polymerizable ligands in N-vinylimidazole (NVI) solutions. Copolymerization of the activated cluster-bound ligands with the surrounding medium probably plays a key role in preventing aggregation and produces near monodisperse molecular clusters within the polymer matrix.
In this work, poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene) (also known as fluorinated ethylene propylene; FEP) was functionalized at the surface using a radio frequency glow discharge plasma. This particular surface modification produced controlled densities of hydroxyl functionality on the FEP surface. These surface hydroxyl groups provided sites for the covalent attachment of minimal peptide sequences, that are specific for neuronal attachment. FSCA, ATR-FTIR, ToF-SIMS, and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to evaluate peptide reaction efficiencies and to verify that intact peptide sequences were covalently attached to the FEP surfaces. These modified substrata were then used to study the cell attachment and response to covalently bound minimal peptide sequences. Cell attachment and differentiation results using NG108-15 and PC12 neuronal cell lines are presented in the adjoining paper by Ranieri et al.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.