Plasma polymerization for generation of laterally controlled chemical gradients on nanoporous membrane surface

Abstract

Surface gradients have attracted great scientific attention in recent years due to their potential in numerous advanced applications. This work presents for the first time preparation of chemical gradients on nanoporous membrane surfaces where nanoporous anodic alumina (AAO) fabricated by electrochemical anodization of aluminium is used as a model. A chemical gradient of two functional groups, CH3 and NH2, were prepared on the surface of an AAO membrane using plasma co-polymerisation of two monomers 1,7-octadiene and allylamine. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) measurements demonstrate the successful generation of the surface chemical gradient. The method presented in this work can be applied to any other porous material.