Solid-supported biomimetic membranes based on amphiphilic block copolymers

Planar artificial membranes based on amphiphilic block copolymers are of high interest due to their potential applications in catalysis, drug screening, sensing, etc. Such polymeric membranes can successfully mimic biological membranes, providing high robustness and stability, which makes them good candidates to be developed in direction of applications. Even though solid-supported polymer membranes have been already investigated to a certain extent, it is still an emerging area. This thesis presents a new generation of biomimetic solid-supported membranes and hybrid polymer-lipid materials, based on amphiphilic block copolymers: poly(dimethylsiloxane)-block-poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (PDMS-b-PMOXA) and poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(γ-methyl-ε-caprolactone)-block-poly[(2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate] (PEG-b-PMCL-b-PDMAEMA). The scope was preparation of stable solid-supported membranes and development of different strategies for insertion/attachment of biomolecules into such membranes. Block copolymers were firstly investigated in respect of behavior at the air-water interface. Deposition of the films on different solid supports (silica wafers, glass and gold slides) was achieved by performing transfers of Langmuir monolayers, which provide formation of defect-free films with good reproducibility. Further, deposited films were functionalized by introduction of membrane proteins and enzymes. To get the insights into morphology and thickness, the obtained systems were analyzed by surface-sensitive techniques, such as atomic force microscopy, ellipsometry, and contact angle measurements. Activity of inserted biomolecules was evaluated by electrical conductance measurements and activity assays. This thesis provides valuable impact in the preparation of membranes in a controllable and reproducible way. Furthermore, it presents different strategies for introduction of biomolecules into such systems, in order to obtain tailored functionality and properties. This work impact fundamental understanding and development of functional membranes. Such artificial membranes and hybrid materials can be further adapted for potential applications.