Interaction of simple & complex biomolecules with engineered diamond surfaces

The project aims at an investigation of interaction between diamond surface (in form of nanocrystalline diamond and diamond-like carbon thin films and diamond monocrystal) and biomolecules by advanced FTIR and XPS spectroscopy methods supported with AFM, SEM and WCA. Simple amino acid as well as complex biomolecules such as peptides and proteins and molecules presented in bodily fluids will be employed for adhesion to diamond surface with different surface terminations. Fundamental description of interaction for different types of biomolecules and diamond surface termination will be provided. Various stress factors (pH, temperature or presence of interfering agents) will be examined by advanced in situ FTIR and XPS methods. A proposed model describing the nature and stability of inorganic/organic interaction will be supported by DFT calculation.