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.

Abstract: A surface treatment gas reactor features a reactor housing and a roller assembly for transporting a bi-dimensional material into and out of a gas reaction chamber. The reactor housing has a reactive gas inlet port and gas outlet or vacuum ports formed therein. Electrodes are mounted within the reactor housing between the gas inlet port and the gas outlet port such that a reactive gas admitted into the reaction chamber through the gas inlet port must pass through a plasma curtain generated by the electrodes before passing out of the outlet ports. The roller assembly includes a central roller having a grounded surface for transporting a bi-dimensional substrate through the reaction chamber on the surface thereof. The central roller is sized so as to reduce the active volume of the reaction chamber. Inside sealing rollers mounted adjacent to the central roller surface have compliant surfaces which form material transport contact points between the central roller and the inside sealing rollers.