Suppression of protein adsorption on a graphene surface by phosphorylcholine functionalization

In this study, we examined phosphorylcholine (ChoP)-modified epitaxial graphene film based devices for the suppression of non-specific protein adsorptions onto a graphene surface. ChoP-pyrene derivatives were synthesized and immobilized on epitaxial graphene by the pi-pi stacking effect. The shifts in the transfer curve by protein adsorption were suppressed for the ChoP-modified graphene device, and this effect was independent of the charge and type of protein. In addition, the suppression effect was stable after 15 min of treatment with ultra-pure water owing to strong interactions of pi electrons on the graphene surface. Consequently, our results indicate a stable blocking for protein adsorptions is achieved with an epochal ChoP derivative using robust bonding of a pyrene and a graphene film. (c) 2019 The Japan Society of Applied Physics