Soft X-Ray Spectromicroscopy of Polymers and Bio-polymer interfaces

A.P. Hitchcock
BIMR and Dept. of Chemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4M1

(Received 26 July 2000; accepted 7 Nov 2000)

Abstract

       The status of soft X-ray spectromicroscopy (near edge X-ray absorption, or NEXAFS microscopy) is summarized, with particular emphasis on recent collaborative studies carried out by the author's group at the scanning transmission X-ray microscope (STXM) and photoemission microscope (PEEM) at the Advanced Light Source. Results described include: characterization of phase segregation and filler particles in polyurethanes; effects of confinement on polymer self-organization; characterization of chemically structured polyurea capsule walls; and preferential interactions of proteins with chemically heterogeneous polymer surfaces. The latter is part of a systematic study of the biocompatibility of polymers used in blood contact applications.

Keywords X-ray microscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, polymers, phase segregation

@2001 International Union of Crystallography