Thin layers of bovine serum albumin by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation

Thin films of bovine serum albumin were prepared by cryogenic matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation technique under various deposition conditions. Energy density of laser beam changed in the range 0.1-0.5 J cm−2. Films were deposited in vacuum or in nitrogen ambient. Targets were prepared from bovine serum albumin solution in phosphate buffered physiological saline and with an addition of UV absorbers as dimethylsulphoxide, phthalic acid, or adenine. Polyethylene and silicon (1 1 1) were used as substrates. Film properties were studied with atomic force microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy attenuated total reflection. The deposition changed native conformation of albumin, resulting in the formation of water-insoluble aggregates. Addition of laser light absorbers in target solutions did not prevent the damage of albumin structure.