In this thesis, XPS and DART–HRMS have been used in close conjugation to supplement each other, since the latter is a relatively new addition to surface chemist’s repertoire that – after development – needed a firm comparison to build up a reputation of its own. The strength of our approach has been underlined by the high correlation between these ...
Porous aluminum oxide (PAO) is a nanostructured material used for various biotechnological applications, including the culturing microorganisms and other types of cells. The ability to chemically modify the PAO surface and tailor its surface properties is a promising way to expand and refine its applications. The immobilization of biomolecules on P...
We can learn from nature that, next to chemistry, surface structures can be used for tuning different functions of surfaces. In this thesis we present a novel fabrication method using colloidal templating on the air/water interface. Two distinct ways to obtain nanopatterned surfaces are described, namely (i) addition of PDMS on top of the colloidal...
This thesis deals with the adhesion and friction properties of densely grafted and covalently bound fluoropolymer brushes on silicon surfaces with varying thickness and fluorine content. A novel surface-functionalizing method is described using the thiol-yne click (TYC) reaction. The TYC reaction is highly useful for the attachment of functional (...
A challenge in the global healthcare is the lack of suitable diagnostic tools for early disease detection. One possible solution is the use of biosensors in diagnostic tests. By definition, a biosensor is a bioanalytical device that detects the presence of a compound (analyte) in the sample. The detection relies on the specific interactions between...
The aim of this thesis is to explore orientation of detection elements on biosensor surfaces. To this end, different strategies were combined such as surface chemistry and protein functionalization, with the aim to generate a platform for oriented immobilization of antibodies in biosensors. Chapter 2 investigates the formation of organic monolayers...
The formation of fluorinated monolayers with a minimized surface energy and an improved chemical stability on specific substrates will enable outstanding tribological properties and is the main goal of the research described in this thesis. Inorganic substrates, such as Si(111), silicon carbide (SiC), chromium nitride (CrN), and organic nano-micro-...
Covalently attached organic monolayers on silicon surfaces form thermally and chemically stable platforms for (bio)functionalization of the surface. Recent advances in monolayer formation – yielding increases in monolayer quality and the complete exclusion of oxygen at modified surfaces – have paved the way for the future development of biosensors,...
cum laude graduation (with distinction)
Silicon-rich silicon nitride (SixN4, x > 3) is a robust insulating material widely used for the coating of microdevices: its high chemical and mechanical inertness make it a material of choice for the reinforcement of fragile microstructures (e.g. suspended microcantilevers, micro-fabricated membranes-“microsieves”) or for the coating of the expose...
