Multilayer thin films based on polyelectrolyte-complex nanoparticles

Abstract

Polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles, obtained by mixing two solutions of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes in non-stoichiometric ratios, were assembled into multilayer films on flat substrates by their alternate adsorption with oppositely charged polyelectrolyte. The incorporation of these nanoparticles in thin films was examined by UV-vis spectroscopy, quartz crystal microgravimetry and atomic force microscopy. The observed film thickness is up to 45% larger than films conventionally prepared from uncomplexed polyelectrolytes (for the same number of adsorption cycles), yielding an average thickness of approximately 40 nm for a ten layer film. The system presented here provides a viable ..