Fluorescence and physical characterization of sol–gel-derived nanocomposite films suitable for the entrapment of biomolecules

Thin films (100–500 nm thick) of Class I, Class II and Class I/II organic–inorganic hybrid silicates were prepared by casting mixtures of tetraethyl orthosilicate, methyltriethoxysilane and/or dimethyldimethoxysilane that were first hydrolyzed via sonication using acid catalysis, followed by induction of gelation using added buffer solutions containing no polymer or 3% w/v of poly(ethylene glycol). In some cases, the fluorescent probe …