The properties of MXenes, new generation 2D materials, are determined by the surface terminations, which depends on flake preparation method. Changing termination chemical groups can significantly modify MXene and functionality. However, common methods chemistry tuning require high-energy treatments often lead to damage. In this work, we propose a plasmon-assisted transformation for flakes. pla...

Polypeptoid brushes were synthesized by surface-initiated polymerization of N-substituted glycine N-carboxyanhydrides on self-assembled amine monolayers. Using the presented grafting-from approach, polypeptoid brush thicknesses of approximately 40 nm could be obtained as compared to previously reported brush thicknesses of 4 nm. Moreover, hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphiphilic polymer brushes...

Specifically, we will show that polymer assemblies with a gradually increasing grafting density can be utilized to probe the “mushroom”-to-“bush” conformational transition in both neutral polymer brushes as well as weak surface-anchored polyelectrolytes. We will describe a method for generating polymer assemblies with a gradually changing molecular weight of the grafted polymers. A simple exten...

Objective(s): Although viral vectors are considered efficient gene transfer agents, their board application has been limited by toxicity, immunogenicity, mutagenicity and small gene carrying capacity. Non-viral vectors are safe but they suffer from low transfection efficiency. In the present study, polyallylamine (PAA) in two molecular weights (15 and 65 kDa) was modified by alkane derivatives ...

We investigate the structure of end-tethered polyelectrolytes using Monte Carlo simulations and molecular theory. In the Monte Carlo calculations we explicitly take into account counterions and polymer configurations and calculate electrostatic interaction using Ewald summation. Rosenbluth biasing, distance biasing, and the use of a lattice are all used to speed up Monte Carlo calculation, enab...

Aptamers are selected DNA ligands that target biomolecules such as proteins. In recent years, they are showing an increasing interest as potential therapeutic agents or recognition elements in biosensor applications. In both cases, the need for characterizing the mating between the target and the aptamer either in solution or immobilized on a surface, is pressing. In this context, we have devel...