Kevin L. Prime

Bio: Kevin L. Prime is an academic researcher from Harvard University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Self-assembled monolayer & Adsorption. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 5 publications receiving 4104 citations.

Self-assembled organic monolayers: model systems for studying adsorption of proteins at surfaces

Abstract: Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of ω-functionalized long-chain alkanethiolates on gold films are excellent model systems with which to study the interactions of proteins with organic surfaces. Mon...

Adsorption of proteins onto surfaces containing end-attached oligo(ethylene oxide): a model system using self-assembled monolayers

Abstract: This paper reports a study of the adsorption of four proteins-fibrinogen, lysozyme, pyruvate kinase, and RNAse A-to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. The SAMs examined were derived from thiols of the structure HS(CH 2 ) 10 R, where R was CH 3 , CH 2 OH, and oligo(ethylene oxide). Monolayers that contained a sufficiently large mole fraction of alkanethiolate groups terminated in oligo(ethylene oxide) chains resisted the kinetically irreversible, nonspecific adsorption of all four proteins. Longer chains of oligo(ethylene oxide) were resistant at lower mole fractions in the monolayer. Resistance to the adsorption of proteins increased with the length of the oligo(ethylene oxide) chain: the smallest mole fraction of chains that prevented adsorption was proportional to n -0.4 , where n represents the number of ethylene oxide units per chain

Formation of self-assembled monolayers by chemisorption of derivatives of oligo(ethylene glycol) of structure HS(CH2)11(OCH2CH2)mOH on gold

Abstract: This paper describes the preparation of oligo(ethylene glycol)-terminated alkanethiols having structure HS- (CHz)'l(OCH2CHz),nOH (m = 3-7) and their use in the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. A combination of experimental evidence derived from X-ray photoelectron sp€ctroscopy (XPS), measurement of contact angles, and ellipsometry implies substantial disorder in the oligo(ethylene glycol)-containing segment. The order in the -(CHz)r- group is not defined by the available evidence. The SAMs are moderately hydrophilic: du(H2O) = 34-38o; d,(H2O) = 22-25". A study of monolayers containing mixtures of HS(CH2)rrCHr and HS(CH2)rr(OCH2CH 2)6OH suggests that the oligo(ethylene glycol) moieties are eflective at preventing underlying methylene groups from influencing wetting by water. A limited study demonstrates that these oligo(ethylene glycol)-containing SAMs resist the adsorption of protein from solution and suggests that SAMs will be a useful model system for studying the adsorption of proteins onto organic surfaces.

Acid-base interactions in wetting

Abstract: The study of the ionization of carboxylic acid groups at the interface between organic solids and water demonstrates broad similarities to the ionizations of these groups in homogeneous aqueous solution, but with important systematic differences. Creation of a charged group from a neutral one by protonation or deprotonation (whether -NH3 + from -NH2 or -CO2- from -CO2H) at the interface between surface-functionalized polyethylene and water is more difficult than that in homogeneous aqueous solution. This difference is probably related to the low effective dielectric constant of the interface (e≃9) relative to water (e≃80). It is not known to what extent this difference in e (and in other properties of the interphase, considered as a thin solvent phase) is reflected in the stability of the organic ions relative to their neutral forms in the interphase and in solution, and to what extent in differences in the concentration of H+ and OH- in the interphase and in solution. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs)-esp...

Self-Assembled Monolayers as Models for Studying Protein Adsorption to Polymer Surfaces

Abstract: Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of functionalized alkanethiolates on gold are a well-characterized system for studying the interfacial properties of organic materials. We have used SAMs as models for the surfaces of organic polymers and used mem to study the adsorption of proteins onto organic materials. We have formed SAMs from mixtures of alkanethiols in which one alkanethiol is hydrophobic and the other is terminated by a short (2 ≤ n ≤ 17) oligomer of poly(ethylene oxide). These “mixed” SAMs effectively resist the adsorption of fibrinogen from moderately concentrated (1 mg/mL) solutions. Protein adsorption begins when ≤ 5% of the accessible area of the surface consists of hydrophobic groups. These findings suggest that real protein-resistant monolayers must present an almost defect-free surface of oligo(ethylene oxide) groups in order to eliminate adsorption.

Mussel-Inspired Surface Chemistry for Multifunctional Coatings

Abstract: We report a method to form multifunctional polymer coatings through simple dip-coating of objects in an aqueous solution of dopamine. Inspired by the composition of adhesive proteins in mussels, we used dopamine self-polymerization to form thin, surface-adherent polydopamine films onto a wide range of inorganic and organic materials, including noble metals, oxides, polymers, semiconductors, and ceramics. Secondary reactions can be used to create a variety of ad-layers, including self-assembled monolayers through deposition of long-chain molecular building blocks, metal films by electroless metallization, and bioinert and bioactive surfaces via grafting of macromolecules.