Journal article

Multilayer thin films based on polyelectrolyte-complex nanoparticles

P Schuetz, F Caruso

COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS | ELSEVIER | Published : 2002

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 ..

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University of Melbourne Researchers