Development of photo-polymerisable polyvinyl alcohol for biotechnological applications

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) containing styryl pyridinium groups has been used as photosensitive polymer. After dilution into deionised water, thin PVA films (with a thickness less than 1 mum) have been deposited by spin coating and patterned by ultraviolet (UV) photolithography. The impact of the different technological parameters (dilution rate, rotation speed, illumination power and duration, etc.) has been studied in so as to optimise the whole process. Results evidence the realisation of high quality PVA patterns whose area ranges from 0.1 x 0.8 to 10 x 10 m(2). The deposition of several thin PVA films in a row has also been investigated, allowing the fabrication of thick multilayers. Finally, the optimised technological process has been used for the deposition of enzymatic PVA films. Urease activities into a thin PVA films have been studied by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) characterisations. Results are analysed as a function of enzyme concentration into the films, dilution medium and storage conditions. This technological process will be advantageously used for the development of low cost biochemical layers. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.