Long-range surface plasmon resonance sensors fabricated with plasma polymerized fluorocarbon thin films

A rapid and simple approach to prepare the dielectric buffer layers is of crucial importance for the development of long-range surface plasmon resonance (LRSPR) sensors. In this regard, we describe for the first time the use of plasma polymerized fluorocarbon thin films as the dielectric buffer layers for the construction of LRSPR sensors. The fluorocarbon films were achieved by radio frequency plasma polymerization of perfluorooctyl ethylene (PFOE) at continuous wave mode with an input power of 60 Watts. The resulting ppPFOE exhibited good adhesion with both the glass substrate and the gold superstrate, and also remained relatively stable in aqueous solutions as seen by optical waveguide spectroscopy (OWS). The obtained LRSPR sensor consisting of a SF11-ppPFOE-Au structure was employed for the detection of both the bulk refractive index variation and the protein adsorption.