Layer-by-layer assembly: from conventional to unconventional methods

Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is a powerful means for fabricating multilayer thin films with controlled architecture and composition. This feature article discusses different types of methods for LbL assembly. On the one hand, some of the conventional LbL methods are introduced, which are driven by electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, step-by-step reactions, sol-gel processes, molecular recognition, charge-transfer, stepwise stereocomplex assembly, and electrochemistry. On the other hand, some of the unconventional methods for fabricating of the building blocks which can not be assembled by conventional methods are also summarized. These unconventional methods usually involve the formation of supramolecular structures via one type of self-assembly. These structures can subsequently be used as building blocks in another type of self-assembly. To take advantage of these conventional and unconventional methods, a great number of building blocks can be fabricated into multilayer thin films with a defined sequence structure in a designed way. It has been demonstrated that LbL methods provide new horizons for surface molecular engineering.     

聚合物层状组装膜

介绍了近几年来我们研究组在层状组装膜的构筑以及功能化研究方面取得的一些最新进展.包括结合表面溶胶-凝胶技术与静电层状组装技术,实现了二阶非线性基团在层状组装多层膜中的非对称排列,制备了具有二阶非线性效应的膜材料;采用室温压印技术,发展了一种简便、经济和具有普适性的层状组装聚合物膜图案化方法;以轻度交联的聚合物微凝胶为构筑基元,制备了具有高负载量的聚合物层状组装膜;发展了一种基于离子剥离技术的层状组装自支持膜制备方法;基于层状组装技术,制备了具有超疏水和抗反射功能的涂层.     

Effect of the layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition method on the surface morphology and wetting behavior of hydrophobically modified PEO and PAA LbL films

We demonstrate that the surface morphology and surface-wetting behavior of layer-by-layer (LbL) films can be controlled using different deposition methods. Multilayer films based upon hydrogen-bonding interactions between hydrophobically modified poly(ethylene oxide) (HM-PEO) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) have been prepared using the dip- and spin-assisted LbL methods. A three-dimensional surface structure in the dip-assisted multilayer films appeared above a critical number of layer pairs owing to the formation of micelles of HM-PEO in its aqueous dipping solution. In the case of spin-assisted HM-PEO/PAA multilayer films, no such surface morphology development was observed, regardless of the layer pair number, owing to the limited rearrangement and aggregation of HM-PEO micelles during spin deposition. The contrasting surface morphologies of the dip- and spin-assisted LbL films have a remarkable effect on the wetting behavior of water droplets. The water contact angle of the dip-assisted HM-PEO/PAA LbL films reaches a maximum at an intermediate layer pair number, coinciding with the critical number of layer pairs for surface morphology development, and then decreases rapidly as the surface structure is evolved and amplified. In contrast, spin-assisted HM-PEO/PAA LbL films yield a nearly constant water contact angle due to the surface chemical composition and roughness that is uniform independent of layer pair number. We also demonstrate that the multilayer samples prepared using both the dip- and spin-assisted LbL methods were easily peeled away from any type of substrate to yield free-standing films; spin-assisted LbL films appeared transparent, while dip-assisted LbL films were translucent.     

Mussel-inspired chemistry for robust and surface-modifiable multilayer films

In this article, we report a bioinspired approach to preparing stable, functional multilayer films by the integration of mussel-inspired catechol oxidative chemistry into a layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. A polyanion of poly(acrylic acid-g-dopamine) (PAA-dopamine) bearing catechol groups, a mussel adhesive protein-mimetic polymer, was synthesized as the building block for LbL assembly with poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). The oxidization of the incorporated catechol group under mild oxidative condition yields o-quinone, which exhibits high reactivity with amine and catechol, thus endowing the chemical covalence and retaining the assembled morphology of multilayer films. The cross-linked films showed excellent stability even in extremely acidic, basic, and highly concentrated aqueous salt solutions. The efficient chemical cross-linking allows for the production of intact free-standing films without using a sacrificial layer. Moreover, thiol-modified multilayer films with good stability were exploited by a combination of thiols-catechol addition and then oxidative cross-linking. The outstanding stability under harsh conditions and the facile functionalization of the PAA-dopamine/PAH multilayer films make them attractive for barriers, separation, and biomedical devices.     

Fabrication of free-standing multilayer films by using pH-responsive microgels as sacrificial layers

A facile way to prepare free-standing polyelectrolyte multilayer films of poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate)(PSS)/poly(diallyldimethylammonium)(PDDA) was developed by applying a new pH-dependent sacrificial system based on cross-linked poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) microgels. The tertiary amine groups of PDMAEMA microgels can be protonated in acidic environment, and the protonated microgels were deposited by layer-by-layer (LbL) technique with PSS. PSS/PDDA multilayer films were constructed on the top of the PSS/microgels sacrificial layers. The LbL assembly process was investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy. Further study shows that the free-standing PSS/PDDA multilayer films can be obtained within 3 min by treating the as-prepared films in alkali aqueous solution with a pH of 12.0. The pH-triggered exfoliation of PSS/PDDA multilayer films provides a simple and facile way to prepare LbL assembled free-standing multilayer films.     

Layer-by-layer assembly of two temperature-responsive homopolymers at neutral pH and the temperature-dependent solubility of the multilayer film

We fabricated a layer-by-layer (LbL) film of temperature-responsive homopolymers at neutral pH and studied its temperature-dependent solubility. We first measured the cloud point of mixed solutions of temperature-responsive polymers. The significant decrease of cloud point suggested that the intermolecular interaction between two polymer chains of different kinds was stronger than that between two polymer chains of the same kind. Strong intermolecular interaction between two polymer chains of different kinds is a prerequisite for LbL assembly. On the basis of the decrease of cloud point of mixed solutions of temperature-responsive homopolymers, we selected poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL) and poly(2-hydroxypropyl acrylate) (PHPA) for LbL assembly. LbL films of the two polymers were fabricated at neutral pH at a constant temperature. When the film was immersed in purified water at a temperature lower than the assembly temperature, it can be partially dissolved with a diffusion-limited dissolution process. The temperature-responsive solubility of the LbL film is closely connected to the phase behavior of mixed solutions of the two polymers. Additionally, as compared to multilayer films of neutral polymers and poly(carboxylic acid)s, the PVCL/PHPA multilayer film is relatively stable when it was immersed in buffer solutions near physiological pH at the assembly temperature. Such LbL films with temperature-responsive solubility might be used as a dissolvable film or a smart capsule.     

Layer-by-layer assembly as a versatile bottom-up nanofabrication technique for exploratory research and realistic application

The layer-by-layer (LbL) adsorption technique offers an easy and inexpensive process for multilayer formation and allows a variety of materials to be incorporated within the film structures. Therefore, the LbL assembly method can be regarded as a versatile bottom-up nanofabrication technique. Research fields concerned with LbL assembly have developed rapidly but some important physicochemical aspects remain uninvestigated. In this review, we will introduce several examples from physicochemical investigations regarding the basics of this method to advanced research aimed at practical applications. These are selected mostly from recent reports and should stimulate many physical chemists and chemical physicists in the further development of LbL assembly. In order to further understand the mechanism of the LbL assembly process, theoretical work, including thermodynamics calculations, has been conducted. Additionally, the use of molecular dynamics simulation has been proposed. Recently, many kinds of physicochemical molecular interactions, including hydrogen bonding, charge transfer interactions, and stereo-complex formation, have been used. The combination of the LbL method with other fabrication techniques such as spin-coating, spraying, and photolithography has also been extensively researched. These improvements have enabled preparation of LbL films composed of various materials contained in well-designed nanostructures. The resulting structures can be used to investigate basic physicochemical phenomena where relative distances between interacting groups is of great importance. Similarly, LbL structures prepared by such advanced techniques are used widely for development of functional systems for physical applications from photovoltaic devices and field effect transistors to biochemical applications including nano-sized reactors and drug delivery systems.     

Next generation, sequentially assembled ultrathin films: beyond electrostatics

Over the last 15 years, the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technology has proven to be a versatile method for surface modification. This approach is likely to find widespread application because of its simplicity and versatility; however, the conventional use of highly charged materials with limited responsive behaviour presents some key limitations. In this tutorial review, the formation of multilayer thin films prepared through non-electrostatic interactions is reviewed. We discuss the assembly of films via a number of different methodologies, with particular emphasis on those that provide enhanced orientational control, stimuli-responsive behaviour, and improved film stability.     

Layer-by-layer self-assembly under high gravity field

In the present article, we have developed a facile and rapid method to fabricate a polyelectrolyte multilayer under high gravity field and investigated the difference of mass transfer in the diffusing process between LbL self-assembled technique under high gravity field (HG-LbL) and dipping assembly. Herein, we have employed polyethyleneimine and zinc oxide nanoparticles, which is a well-known UV blocking material with typical absorption properties in the range of 300-400 nm, as building blocks and applied hydrogen bonding as the driving force to construct the multilayer under HG-LbL and dipping assembly. The results show that, compared with dipping assembly, HG-LbL can highly improve the utilization and adsorption efficiency of building blocks by hastening the diffusing process, and meanwhile the resulting multilayer films still achieve comparable quality as those prepared from dipping assembly.     

Coordinative supramolecular assembly of electrochromic thin films

The article is concerned with the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of electrochromic films using coordinative interactions between compounds. At first the concepts of coordinative supramolecular assembly are explained and examples are presented. Subsequently electrochromic LbL assemblies prepared upon electrostatic and/or coordinative interactions are briefly discussed. In the focus of the article are films of terpyridine(tpy)-functionalized polyiminoarylene metal ion complexes, which are prepared upon coordinative LbL assembly of the tpy-substituted polyiminoarylenes and metal ions. The films exhibit reversible electrochromic behavior with high contrast and fast response times. It is demonstrated that the electrochromic behavior of the films can be modified by a variation of polymer structure, metal ions, and counterions.     

智能响应与自修复的层层组装聚合物膜

具有刺激响应性和自修复功能的复合膜是重要的仿生功能膜材料.层层组装是一种基于物质交替沉积而制备复合膜的方法,可以实现膜的结构和组成的精确调控.通过结构与组成的精确调控,基于层层组装制备的微米厚度的聚电解质厚膜可以对外界刺激产生快速有效的响应,因而在制备智能仿生膜材料方面具有重要的价值.本文以作者的研究结果为基础,阐明了基于层层组装的聚电解质膜可以成功用于制备湿度和温度响应的双结构自支持膜和高效的促动器及行走机器,以及自修复超疏水和划痕修复聚电解质膜.     

Spray-layer-by-layer assembly can more rapidly produce optical-quality multistack heterostructures

Automated spray-layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly was used to create highly reflective structurally colored thin films with high reflectance at near-UV light wavelengths. Reflectance peaks were tuned by fabricating alternating stacks of high (TiO(2) nanoparticles) and low (SiO(2) nanoparticles) refractive index materials using a non-quarter-wave design. Spray-assembled multilayer heterostructures fabricated with up to 840 individual polymer or nanoparticle deposition steps presented similar roughness and refractive index values compared to Bragg stacks obtained via immersion LbL assembly. Such complex multilayer heterostructures, however, could be fabricated in significantly shorter times; the time required to deposit a complete bilayer was only about 90 s, compared to 36 min for the immersion assembly of the same system. Optimization of the experimental parameters was performed to achieve uniform coatings and relatively smooth interfaces and surfaces. We observed that the spraying times of the nanoparticle and polymer solutions are the main parameters that determine the thickness, optical properties, and uniformity of the assembled films. Ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the samples. The nanoparticle thin films were iridescent and presented relatively narrow peaks of high reflectance (～90%) at visible and near-UV wavelengths of light.     

层-层自组装构建固相可降解基因传递体系的研究

近年来,随着人类对基因研究的深入,基因治疗作为一种新的手段,受到人们的广泛重视．在组织工程材料、介入医用材料和医用植入体的应用中,与传统的溶液给药方式不同,基因技术需要一种可直接作用于材料表面贴壁细胞的长效、高转染固相基因传递体系．目前,国内外研究者将蛋白质药     

Facile method for the fabrication of robust polyelectrolyte multilayers by post-photo-cross-linking of azido groups

In this letter, we have developed a facile method to enhance the stability of polyelectrolyte multilayers. We fabricate conventional polyelectrolyte multilayers of PAH/PAA through electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly and then postinfiltrate photosensitive cross-linking agent 4,4'-diazostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid disodium salt into the LbL films. After cross-linking by UV irradiation, the stability of the photo-cross-linked multilayer is highly improved as evidenced by the lack of dissolution under ultrasonication in saturated SDS aqueous solutions for 10 min. Moreover, by taking advantage of the different stability of the LbL film before and after UV irradiation, a patterned surface can be achieved.     

表面活性剂胶束实现疏水分子在聚合物微凝胶层层组装膜中的高效负载

基于层层组装技术制备了聚烯丙基胺-葡聚糖微凝胶(记作PAH-D)/透明质酸钠(HA)膜, 将包覆有芘分子的十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)表面活性剂胶束基于静电作用力负载到PAH-D/HA微凝胶膜中, 实现了疏水分子芘在微凝胶膜中的高效负载. 紫外-可见吸收光谱和荧光光谱证实了SDS胶束包覆的芘分子被稳定地负载在PAH-D微凝胶膜中. 透过光谱表明负载有芘分子的(PAH-D/HA)*10微凝胶膜在可见光区仍保持良好光学透过性. 芘在膜中的负载量可以通过改变PAH-D/HA微凝胶膜的沉积周期数和SDS胶束中包覆芘分子的浓度而实现调控. 具有光致变色性质的螺吡喃分子同样可以借助SDS胶束负载到PAH-D/HA微凝胶膜中, 制备具有光致变色性质的层层组装膜. 本工作为疏水有机分子在层层组装聚合物膜中的高效负载提供了一种简便、易行的方法.     

表面印迹交替层状组装薄膜

在简要概述非常规交替层状组装这一进展后,重点总结了如何利用非常规交替层状组装以实现表面印迹膜的制备.模板分子与聚电解质在溶液中组装形成超分子复合物,然后以此超分子复合物为构筑基元,与感光性高分子,如重氮树脂,通过常规交替层状组装形成聚合物多层膜.利用聚合物多层膜之间的光化学反应形成稳定的多层膜,然后去除模板分子得到分子...     

Layer-by-layer self-assembly of single-walled carbon nanotubes with amine-functionalized weak polyelectrolytes for electrochemically tunable pH sensitivity

The layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) is demonstrated to tune the electrochemical pH sensitivity of thin-film devices. The positively charged amine containing weak polyelectrolyte (wPE) is used as a counter species to control the proximal ions. The LbL assembly process is monitored by the quartz crystal microbalance, which results in the linear growth of a multilayer. The amount adsorbed is strongly dependent on the surface charge of previously deposited species. However, the thickness of the multilayer is determined by both the amount adsorbed and the coiling of polyelectrolyte chains. Indeed, electrical and structural characteristics of the (wPE/SWCNT) multilayer thin film are obtained according to the acid dissociation constants of amino groups in wPE. The electrochemical pH sensitivity in the physiological range demonstrates the effects of both charge carrier doping/trapping and proximal ions on the conductance of the SWCNT multilayer. Although doping/trapping shows the decreasing conductance, the proximal ion effect reveals the increasing conductance with pH in the basic region as a result of the p-type semiconducting nature of SWCNTs and the ability of wPE to capture hydrogen ions. This work sheds light on the applicability of nanostructured and/or engineered functional thin films of SWCNTs as chemical and biological sensors.     

Fabrication of novel layer-by-layer assembly films composed of poly(lactic acid) and polylysine through cation-dipole interactions

Novel layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly films composed of poly( L-lysine) (PLL) and poly( D-lactic acid) (PDLA) were prepared by the alternate immersion of a gold substrate into an aqueous PLL solution and an acetonitrile solution of PDLA. The formation of the LbL assembly film was confirmed by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) analysis, atomic force microscopy observation, and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurement. The driving force responsible for the LbL assembly was determined by investigating the formation behavior of the LbL assembly under various conditions. The formation of the LbL assembly was not affected either by the stereochemistry of polylysine and poly(lactic acid) or by the addition of urea, which is known to inhibit hydrogen bonding interaction between polymers, into the aqueous PLL solution. The LbL assembly was also formed by the combination of PDLA and polycations other than polylysine, such as poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride). On the other hand, the combination of PDLA and any polyanions such as poly(styrene sulfonate sodium salt) produced little corresponding LbL assembly. The increase in positive charge on the amino nitrogen atom of PLL enhanced the LbL assembly. These results suggest that the LbL assembly film composed of PLL and PDLA was fabricated by cation-dipole interactions between the positive charge on the amino nitrogen atom of PLL and the lone pairs of the carbonyl oxygen atom of PDLA.     

Layer-by-layer assembly for rapid fabrication of thick polymeric films

In the past two decades, layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly has been proven to be a convenient and versatile method to fabricate functional films. However, using traditional dipping LbL assembly to fabricate micrometer-thick films is time consuming. Compared with ultrathin films, micrometer-thick films prepared by LbL assembly possess enhanced mechanical stability, and allow deposition of a significantly increased amount of materials and the integration of multiple functions. These merits of thick films produced by LbL assembly can result in new functions and allow the functions of ultrathin films fabricated by LbL assembly to be optimized. In this tutorial review, the methods for rapid fabrication of thick polymeric films involving LbL assembly are reviewed. The functions of such films that are relevant to their micrometer thickness are discussed.     

聚合物复合物层层组装膜

层层组装是一种基于物质交替沉积而制备复合膜的方法,可以实现膜的结构和组成的精确调控.聚合物复合物是基于各种分子间弱相互作用力而形成的超分子聚集体,其种类包括聚阳离子-聚阴离子复合物、聚电解质-有机小分子复合物、中性聚合物-聚合物复合物以及聚合物-无机杂化复合物等.在本文中,以作者的研究结果为基础,阐明聚合物复合物的层层组装是一种方便、快捷的功能复合膜的构筑方法,具有如下优点:(1)聚合物复合物大的尺度可以实现聚合物复合物层层组装膜的快速构筑;(2)聚合物复合物的结构在组装溶液中和成膜后都容易调控,方便聚合物复合物层层组装膜结构的精细调控.(3)聚合物复合物层层组装膜可以构筑非复合的聚合物层层组装所不能获得的膜结构及功能.