Molecular recognition at surfaces derivatized with self-assembled monolayers

An article comprising:

• A solid phase having a surface;
• a self-assembled mixed monolayer adhered to the surface, the mixed monolayer formed of at least a first species and a second species, the first species having a formula:
• X—R-Ch
• where X, R, and Ch are each selected such that X represents a functional group that adheres to the surface, R represents a spacer moiety that promotes self-assembly of the mixed monolayer, and Ch represents a chelating agent that coordinates a metal ion, and the second species being selected to form a mixed self-assembled monolayer with the first species,
• wherein the mixed monolayer comprises the second and first species in a molar ratio at least 70:30.

An article suitable for capturing a biological molecule, comprising:

• A solid phase having a surface;
• a self-assembled mixed monolayer adhered to the surface, the mixed monolayer formed of at least a first species and a second species,
• wherein the first species has a formula:
• X—R-Ch-M-BP
• where X, R, Ch, M, and BP are each selected such that X represents a functional group that adheres to the surface, R represents a spacer moiety that promotes self-assembly of the mixed monolayer, Ch represents a chelating agent that coordinates a metal ion, M represents a metal ion, and BP represents a binding partner of the biological molecule, the binding partner being coordinated to the metal ion, and the second species is selected to form a mixed self-assembled monolayer with the first species.

A method of making an article having a surface for capturing a target molecule, comprising:

• formulating a solution containing a mixture of at least a first and a second species, the first species having a formula:
• X—R-Ch
• where X, R, and Ch are each selected such that X represents a functional group that adheres to the surface, R represents a spacer moiety that promotes self-assembly of the mixed monolayer, and Ch represents a chelating agent that coordinates a metal ion,
• wherein the second species is selected to form a mixed self-assembled monolayer with the first species, and the second species and first species are present in the solution at a molar ratio of at least 70:30;
• and
• exposing to the surface the solution for a period of time sufficient to form a self-assembled mixed monolayer of the first and second species on the surface.

A method of capturing a biological molecule, comprising:

• providing an article that has a surface having adhered thereto a species of a formula:
• X—R-Ch-M-BP
• wherein X represents a functional group that adheres to a surface, R represents a self-assembled monolayer-promoting spacer moiety, Ch represents a chelating agent that coordinates a metal ion, M represents a metal ion coordinated by the chelating agent, and BP represents a binding partner of the biological molecule, the binding partner being coordinated to the metal ion;
• contacting the surface with a medium containing a biological molecule and allowing the molecule to biologically bind to the binding partner.