US Patent 7582422 Modified carbon and germanium surfaces

Chemically-modified surfaces on unoxidized carbon, silicon, and germanium substrates are disclosed. Ultraviolet radiation mediates the reaction of protected ω-modified, α-unsaturated aminoalkenes (preferred) with hydrogen-terminated carbon, silicon, or germanium surfaces. Removal of the protecting group yields an aminoalkane-modified silicon surface These amino groups can be coupled to terminal-modified oligonucleotides using a bifunctional crosslinker, thereby permitting the preparation of modified surfaces and arrays. Methods for controlling the surface density of molecules attached to the substrate are also disclosed.