| abstract |
A method of immobilizing a chemical specie in a three-dimensional, crosslinked matrix. The method involves bringing together in covalent bonding proximity a desired chemical specie and a polymeric coupling compound having at least two latent reactive groups per molecule, each latent reactive group being capable when activated of covalently bonding to another coupling compound molecule or to the chemical specie. The chemical specie desirably is free of latent reactive groups that are activated upon activation of the latent reactive groups are simultaneously activated to cause formation via covalent bonding of a three-dimensional molecular network in which molecules of the chemical specie are covalently bonded to molecules of the coupling compound, and molecules of the coupling compound are covalently bonded to each other. Preferably, the three-dimensional matrix is formed as a coating upon a surface to which covalent bonds are formed upon activation of the latent reactive groups of the coupling compound. |