Colloid surface engineering via deposition of multilayered thin films from polyelectrolyte blend solutions

Abstract

Multilayer thin films were constructed on polystyrene colloidal particles by depositing alternating layers of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) at pH 7.5 and varying composition blends of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) at pH 3.5. Following the deposition of each layer, microelectrophoresis experiments showed alternating zeta-potentials, suggesting the formation of multilayered films on the particles. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the surface morphology of the colloidal particles, with homogeneous surface coatings apparent for films deposited from PAA/PSS blend solutions containing up to 90 wt % PAA. The colloidal stability of..