Soft X-ray spectromicroscopy of polymers and biopolymer interfaces

The status of soft X-ray spectromicroscopy (near edge X-ray absorption, or NEXAFS, microscopy) is summarized, with particular emphasis on recent colla borative studies carried out by the author's group at the scanning transmis sion X-ray microscopy (STXM) and the photoelectron emission microscopy (PEE M) instruments at the Advanced Light Source. Results described include: cha racterization of phase segregation and filler particles in polyurethanes; e ffects of confinement on polymer self-organization; characterization of che mically structured polyurea capsule walls; and preferential interactions of proteins with chemically heterogeneous polymer surfaces. The latter is par t of a systematic study of the biocompatibility of polymers used in blood c ontact applications.