3D-Epoxy surface chemistry

for coupling via nucleophilic groups (e.g. N-terminus) of biochemical species

Key Features

  • For covalent immobilization of biomolecules
  • Reacts with nucleophilic groups, e.g. amines, thiole and hydroxyl groups, under formation of a covalent bond
  • Uncharged surface with integrated low fouling matrix
  • Long shelf-life of up to two years

PolyAn equips glass slides and polymer slides as well as 96-well plates with 3D-Epoxy surfaces. Please do not hesitate to contact us, if you would like to functionalize a different format or substrate with our 3D-Epoxy surface.

The 3D-Epoxy 96 well microplates are used mainly if adsorptive binding of peptides, oligonucleotides or proteins, for example, to high/medium binding surfaces is ineffective or the binding strength is not sufficient. Epoxy rings can easily react with nucleophiles e.g. amines, hydrazines, thiols, hydroxides and carboxyl groups of biomolecules to form a covalent bond with the surface.

A covalent bond is formed by sharing of electrons between two atoms. The dissociation energy for a typical covalent bond is 100 kcal/mol and by far the strongest in chemistry.

Epoxides are cyclic ethers with a highly strained three ring. Epoxy rings can be easily reacted with nucleophils e.g. amines, hydrazines, thiols, hydroxides and carboxyl groups. Compared to 3D-NHS matrices the epoxy surface is more stable and has a longer shelf-life. Epoxy-surfaces are stable up temperatures of 40°C and are also more stable against humidity compared to NHS-surfaces.

The nucleophilic addition is catalysed by acid or basic conditions. Under acidic conditions, the oxygen in the ring is positively charged, which facilitates the nucleophilic attack. Under basic conditions the least substituted carbon is attacked by the applied nucleophil in a standard SN2 reaction.

3D-Epoxy surface for ELISA applications

Comparison of IgG-FITC binding onto PolyAn's 3D-Epoxy surface versus passive (adsorptive) immobilization