Layered monomer assemblies polymerization

More recent efforts focused on surface modification of conductive polymers by the SECM, fabrication, and characterization of microstructures. Mandler et al. developed an approach for the formation of a 2D conducting polymer on top of an insulating layer. This approach, based on electrostatically binding a monomer (anilinium ions) to a negatively charged self-assembled monolayer of co-mercaptodecanesulfonate [MDS, HS(CH2)ioS03 ] followed by its electrochemical polymerization. The polyanion monolayer exhibited the properties similar to those of a thin polymer film [167]. 

Fig. 13 Simplified schematic of the decylamine functionalized MAH-PP supported lipid membrane. (B) plasma polymerization of the MAH monomer on a self-assembled layer of allylmercap-tane on an gold electrode. (B) Functionalization of the MAH-groups with decylamine (aminolysis). (C) Vesicle fusion in Ca2+ containing buffer for completion of the lipid membrane...

Injury to the endothelium and exposure of tissue factor on the subendothelial layer to plasma proteins also activate the blood coagulation cascade, which ultimately activates thrombin and Factor XIII Factor XIII cross-links strands of polymerized fibrin monomers to form a stable clot (the secondary hemostatic plug). The blood coagulation cascade consists of a series of enzymes (such as Factor X), which are inactive until proteolytically cleaved by the preceding enzyme in the cascade. Other proteins (Factor V and Factor VIII) serve as binding proteins, which assemble factor complexes at the site of injury. Ca and y-carboxyglutamate residues in the proteins (formed by a vitamin K-dependent process in the liver) attach the factor complexes to phosphoUpids exposed on platelet membranes. Consequently, thrombus formation is rapidly accelerated and localized to the site of injury. 

In recent years, there has been a steady shift away from the LB technique toward self-assembly methods for the fabrication of mono-layer and multilayer arrays (Fig. 12). In contrast to the LB method, which requires a film balance and careful control over surface pressures during dipping and transfer, self-assembly is carried out by simple immersion of a suitable support into a solution containing an excess of monomer. The formation of multilayer arrays via self-assembly has also become popular. Most commonly, a charged surface is dipped into a solution containing a poly ionic species, followed by dipping into a second solution that contains a polymeric counterion. Repetition of such dipping then produces the desired material in a layer-by-layer manner. 

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