Conformation and orientation of end-grafted (co)polyglutamates and (co)polyaspartates

The conformation and orientation of end-grafted (co)polyglutamates and (co)polyaspartates were investigated using several infra-red spectroscopy techniques. The grafted polymers took on the same conformations as the corresponding free polymers; however, the change in conformation at higher temperatures did not take place. The orientation of the polymers grafted onto flat surfaces turned out to be bent towards the surface, but became more perpendicular after interdiffusion of trans-ethyl-β-apo-8’-carotenoate.