Adhesion polymers, molecular interactions involved

Extensive studies in protein chemistry (13) and synthetic polymers (14) have established compositional factors responsible for molecular associations Involved in adhesion and cohesion phenomena of proteins and other polymers. Figure 3 summarizes types of functional groups in proteins participating in associative interactions and agents that disrupt the bonds they form. 

The detailed study of molecular mechanisms involved in adhesion requires an atomistic treatment of the substrate surfaces and their interaction with the organic components contained in the adhesive. Interesting aspects of the substrate-adhesive interaction include the preferential molecular orientation due to the interaction at the surface [1] or the influence of the initial stages of polymer grafting on the stability of polymer/metal interfaces [2]. The structure and composition of the interface can have a decisive effect on the properties of the re-... 

Polymers are difficult samples for adhesion measurements due to intrinsic roughness and chemical heterogeneity on the nanoscale along with complex viscoelastic nature of the mechanical contact. Unlike polymer, SAMs are ideal samples for AFM measurements of adhesion and colloidal forces. The monolayers offer more possibilities to control chemical composition of the surface as well as to induce well-defined chemical patterning. SAM also allows quantitative smdies of intermolecular interactions between spedflc chemical functionalities that are involved in molecular recognition and protein folding. 

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