Layer-by-layer assembly of weak-strong copolymer polyelectrolytes: A route to morphological control of thin films

Abstract

Multilayer films were assembled from a strong polyelectrolyte (poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), PDADMAC) and a copolymer containing both strongly charged styrene sulfonate moieties and weakly charged maleic acid moieties (poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid-co-maleic acid), PSSMA). Growth of PSSMA/PDADMAC multilayers was linear, as characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and quartz crystal microgravimetry. The influence of both the pH of the PSSMA adsorption solutions and the ratio of SS:MA in the PSSMA on multilayer properties was investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that the ionization of carboxylic acid groups in PSSMA/PDADMAC multilayers did not vary significa..