Adsorption of bovine serum albumin on amorphous carbon surfaces studied with dip pen nanolithography

► We studied BSA protein adsorption on two amorphous carbons; taC and a-C:H:Si. ► We used the DPN technique, contact angle measurements and AFM force curves. ► Drop volume study showed a line tension effect. ► The data consistently shows that BSA diffuses more readily on a-C:H:Si. ► The limitations of DPN as a lithographic tool were outlined.