Molecular responses of proteins at different interfacial environments detected by sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy

Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy has been applied to investigate molecular responses of bovine serum albumin (BSA) molecules adsorbed at different interfacial environments. Molecular level and in situ SFG studies demonstrate that albumin molecules have different adsorption behaviors when contact with fused silica, polystyrene, and poly(methyl methacrylate). Adsorbed albumin molecules exhibit different structural changes when exposed to different chemical environments, including air, water, and hydrophobic solvents. This paper provides direct molecular insight into protein responses to different interfacial environments.