Development and optimisation of polymeric matrices for use in biomolecular devices

Matrix development is the primary focus of this dissertation, with the intent of producing a functional polymeric matrix that displays both protein compatibility and good optical properties. The overall objectives include: (i) To prepare and optimise a PAm hydrogel formulation suitable for application in a bacteriorhodopsin based 3-D optical memory device. (ii) To design copolymers capable of post polymer grafting and photo-crosslinking that display improved long term stability and optical properties for application as a possible matrix material and (iii) To prepare novel hydroglass matrix materials displaying enhanced long term stability, optical clarity, and protein compatibility.; The aqueous polymerisation of acrylamide and crosslinking with N, N-methylenebisacrylamide afforded hydrogels displaying high levels of light scattering. Optimisation of conditions such as the reduction of particulate matter within the cuvettes, utilisation of purified water, a 12% w/v Am concentration, a low concentration of MBA (<0.18% w/v), a low initiator concentration, a pH of approximately 6.0 and an incubation period of 3 weeks afforded PAm hydrogels with improved optical clarity (reduced light scattering). Further enhancement to the inherent light scattering properties within a PAm hydrogel was accomplished through the implementation of “refractive index matching”. Water-soluble additives were utilised to better match the refractive index inhomogeneities throughout a given hydrogel and therefore lower the overall light scattering observed within the system.; Overall this dissertation reported: (i) The optical clarity of a PAm hydrogel can be improved through the optimisation of polymerisation conditions and can be further enhanced at significant levels via refractive index matching. The use of water-soluble additives for matching refractive index inhomogeneities within the hydrogel is a very simple and effective way to yield a matrix with a high degree of optical clarity. (ii) Photo-patternable acrylate copolymers, derived from HEA, may be prepared through the derivatization of pendant hydroxy-containing parent systems into cinnamate pendent polymers displaying changes in thermal, optical and physical properties and (iii) novel “hydroglass” matrices displaying enhanced long-term stability and optical clarity may be prepared from the aqueous free-radical polymerisation of several acrylate monomers and crosslinked with a rigid difunctional monomer such as piperazine diacrylamide. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...