Surface modification of /spl gamma/-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ filters by chemisorption of alkyltrichlorosilane molecules

Surfaces of aluminum oxide (/spl gamma/-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/) filters with 0.02 /spl mu/m pores were modified for biomembrane-mimetic formation by chemisorption of alkyltrichlorosilane molecules. A water-masking process was employed to protect the pores from involvement in the reaction. Characterization was carried out using contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy, and grazing incidence IR spectroscopy. A protocol was developed from these measurements that resulted in a near monolayer distribution of alkyltrichlorosilane molecules across the filter surface.