Characterization of covalent immobilization on the surface of optical fibers by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry

Chemical modifications on the surface of optical fibers have played an important role in the immobilization of biological recognition molecules. In this article, the specific goal was to characterize the covalent bond on the surface of optical fiber by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and chemical analysis after silanization. Optical fibers pretreated with hydrofluoric acid and piranha solution were silanized in the 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane solution, then microscopic components of silanized optical fibers were determined to validate the silanization. Results showed that carbon atom was measured with EDS, and the ratio of silicon and oxygen atom was 1:3.6 on its surface by calculation. Fluorescence experiments on the short silanized optical fiber segments indicated that the intensity of fluorescence was relatively weak and reached equilibrium after 3 h. Both methods, EDS and fluorescence test, were effective to characterize the covalent bond of different silanes and biological recognition molecules on the optical fibers for biosensor applications. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.