Process for intercalation of spacer molecules between substrates and active biomolecules

Abstract

A wide variety of substrates can be functionalized to attach spacer molecules therein by exposing the substrates to a cold plasma ignited in dichlorosilane, silicon tetrachloride or hexachlorodisilane gas to implant silicon-chlorine functionalities in the substrate surface. The plasma implanted surface functionalities can then be utilized to initiate second stage gas phase derivatization reactions to form linker molecules attached to the substrate. Active biomolecules such as enzymes can then be bound to the exposed linker molecules to bind the bioactive molecules to the substrate while allowing freedom of movement and conformation of the bound molecule comparable to that of the free molecule.