TY - JOUR A1 - Dietrich, P. M. A1 - Kjærvik, Marit A1 - Willneff, E. A. A1 - Unger, Wolfgang T1 - In-depth analysis of iodine in artificial biofilm model layers by variable excitation energy XPS and argon gas cluster ion sputtering XPS T2 - Biointerphases N2 - Here, we present a study on agarose thin-film samples that represent a model system for the exopolysaccharide matrix of biofilms. Povidone-iodide (PVP-I) was selected as an antibacterial agent to evaluate our x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)-based methodology to trace specific marker elements, here iodine, commonly found in organic matrices of antibiotics. The in-depth distribution of iodine was determined by XPS analyses with variable excitation energies and in combination with argon gas cluster ion beam sputter cycles. On mixed agarose/PVP-I nanometer-thin films, both methods were found to solve the analytical task and deliver independently comparable results. In the mixed agarose/PVP-I thin film, we found the outermost surface layer depleted in iodine, whereas the iodine is homogeneously distributed in the depth region between this outermost surface layer and the interface between the thin film and the substrate. Depletion of iodine from the uppermost surface in the thin-film samples is assumed to be caused by ultrahigh vacuum exposure resulting in a loss of molecular iodine (I2) as reported earlier for other iodine-doped polymers. PB - AVS KW - Biofilm KW - XPS KW - Argon gas cluster ion sputtering KW - Variable excitation KW - Iodine PY - 2022 UR - https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-bam/frontdoor/index/index/docId/54973 AN - OPUS4-54973 SN - 1934-8630 VL - 17 IS - 3 SP - 1 EP - 8 AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany