Alternative amphiphilic antifouling strategies using fluorous moieties

Thenin, Jules (2025) Alternative amphiphilic antifouling strategies using fluorous moieties. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Nonspecific adsorption of chemical species onto sensing surfaces, commonly referred to as fouling, poses a significant challenge in biosensing, particularly for label-free detection methods. Fouling can compromise both the accuracy and selectivity of these techniques by interfering with the sensor’s ability to distinguish target analytes from background species.

To address this issue, the development of antifouling surface chemistries has emerged as a promising strategy to reduce or eliminate unwanted interactions. However, many existing antifouling agents fail to provide consistent protection against a broad spectrum of proteins. In this thesis, a series of antifouling molecules incorporating a pentafluorobenzyl moiety were designed to create amphiphilic surfaces as a less harmful alternative to traditional polyfluoroalkyl substances. These molecules were successfully functionalized onto gold nanostructures to form self-assembled monolayers.

Localized surface plasmon resonance, a label-free analytical technique, was employed to evaluate the antifouling performance of the functionalized surfaces. All tested surfaces demonstrated improved resistance to fouling by bovine serum albumin compared to unmodified gold. Additionally, a mixed monolayer incorporating both antifouling molecules and anti-BSA antibodies was fabricated to serve as a biosensing interface. This mixed surface was designed to selectively detect target analytes via antibody recognition while repelling nonspecific protein adsorption through the antifouling component. Although the experimental data were inconclusive, the PFB-based mixed surface exhibited antifouling behaviour comparable to that of a control surface functionalized with polyethylene glycol.

• Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Subjects: Q Science > QD Chemistry
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Supervisor's Name: Peveler, Dr. William and Clark, Professor Alasdair
• Date of Award: 2025
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2025-85645
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 11 Dec 2025 10:27
• Last Modified: 11 Dec 2025 10:29
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.85645
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/85645