Unusual collapse of highly hydrated polyelectrolyte multilayers with the ionic strength

Highly hydrated polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) were fabricated by “layer by layer” (LBL) assembly of poly (diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and poly (sodium 4‐styrene sulfonate) (PSS) in 0.5 M NaCl. Both thickness and hydration of the film were determined in situ as the multilayer was assembled by means of the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM‐D) and the Spectroscopic Ellipsometry techniques combined in a single device. For PEMs of 17 total layers in water, a final thickness of up to 300 nm and a hydration of 69% were measured. The response towards the ionic strength was then studied by means of QCM‐D. PEMs of 17 layers, with PDADMAC as last layer, shrunk dramatically and lost water when exposed to aqueous NaCl solutions of increasing concentration. Indeed, a thickness variation up to 100 nm and reduction in the 50% of the water content were observed when the PEM was exposed to 1 M NaCl. On the contrary, PEMs where PSS appears on top showed no measurable change upon the variation in the ionic strength. This brings the possibility to control the responsive character of the PEMs simply by selecting the last polyelectrolyte layer (PDADMAC or PSS) deposited. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Preparation of Polyelectrolyte Nanotubes by a Pressure filter-template Technique Using Microporous Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) as the Template

Polyelectrolyte nanotubes of poly(sodium 4‐styrene‐sulfonate) (PSS) with cationic poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA) (PSS/PDDA) were fabricated by a pressure‐filter‐template technique using microporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) as the template. UV‐Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) were applied to characterize the obtained PSS/PDDA nanotubes. The results have shown that the PSS/PDDA nanotubes exhibit an amorphous structure and have the outer diameter of 200 nm and length of 25 µm respectively, which are in good agreement with the dimensions of the AAO template pores. The wall thickness of the nanotubes may be controlled by the number of the self‐assembled layers. Formation of the nanotubes follows a layer‐by‐layer (LbL) mechanism due to the electrostatic interactions, where the SO^?₃ groups of PSS are first adsorbed on the Lewis acid sites of AAO template pores.     

PET/PC共混体系的酯交换反应对其高压结晶行为的影响

利用转矩流变仪、DSC、SEM及WAXD等表征手段研究了PET/PC共混体系的酯交换反应对其高压结晶行为的影响.SEM观察表明,PET和PC熔混时的酯交换反应有利于PET/PC体系在高压结晶时生成厚度较大的伸直链晶体,且可以促进其高压下酯交换反应的发生.楔形伸直链晶体和弯曲伸直链晶体的存在证明链滑移扩散和酯交换反应两种机制对体系中聚酯伸直链晶体的增厚有贡献.拟合分峰法和War-ren-Averbach傅里叶分析法的计算结果表明,随PET/PC体系熔混时酯交换反应程度的增加,高压结晶共混物的结晶度降低,PET的平均微晶尺寸增大,点阵畸变平均值则减小,而微晶尺寸分布变宽.提出了在共聚物组分都具备结晶能力时,结晶诱导化学反应和化学反应诱导结晶两种过程在一定条件下可同时发生的观点.     

Large‐Area,Freestanding MOF Films of Planar,Curvilinear, or Micropatterned Topographies

Freestanding MOF films up to six‐inches across and replicating various surface (micro)patterns are prepared via a templated growth method. When grown on copper supports, these films have preferred orientation of the constituent crystallites, translating into markedly different wetting properties of the film's two surfaces (water‐pinning vs. water repellant). In addition, the films exhibit differential sorption of various organic solvents, can recover oil spills from seawater, and can also act as active layers of chemical sensors.     

Large‐Area,Freestanding MOF Films of Planar,Curvilinear, or Micropatterned Topographies

Freestanding MOF films up to six‐inches across and replicating various surface (micro)patterns are prepared via a templated growth method. When grown on copper supports, these films have preferred orientation of the constituent crystallites, translating into markedly different wetting properties of the film's two surfaces (water‐pinning vs. water repellant). In addition, the films exhibit differential sorption of various organic solvents, can recover oil spills from seawater, and can also act as active layers of chemical sensors.     

胶体颗粒在聚电解质多层膜表面的可控组装

利用原子力显微镜和扫描电子显微镜研究了磺化聚苯乙烯胶体颗粒在由聚二甲基二烯丙基氯化铵和聚苯乙烯磺酸钠层状自组装而成的多层膜表面的组装.该组装受表面性质影响,通过对多层膜的最外层的组装条件或利用盐溶液对多层膜进行后处理可以控制胶体颗粒在膜表面的组装密度.     

Polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer self-assembly enhanced by electric field and their multilayer membranes for separating isopropanol–water mixtures

An electric field enhanced method is developed for fabricating layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes. Three kinds of electric field enhanced polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes (EPEMs), poly(diallyl dimethylammonium chloride)/poly(styrenesulfonate sodium salt) (PDDA/PSS), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)/poly(acrylic acid sodium salt) (PDDA/PAA) and polyethylenimine/poly(acrylic acid sodium salt) (PEI/PAA), were self-assembled on a reverse osmosis membrane (ROM). The pervaporation performances of EPEMs for separating isopropanol–water mixtures (90/10, w/w) are all superior to those of corresponding normal self-assembled polyelectrolytes membranes (PEMs), and the selectivity increases with PDDA/PSS, PDDA/PAA and PEI/PAA in order. For (PEI/PAA)₄PEI EPEM, the separation factor is 1075 and permeation flux is 4.05 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ at 70 °C. This novel method speeds up the LbL process, which makes it promising for the practical application of the LbL multilayer membrane.     

Separation of aminophenol isomers in polyelectrolyte multilayers modified PDMS microchip

The separation of three kinds of aminophenol isomers were achieved within 1 min in polyelectrolytes multilayers modified PDMS microchips by layer-by-layer assembly with electrochemical detection (EC). Two polyelectrolytes, poly(dially dimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA) and poly(sodium-4-styrene-sulfonate) (PSS) were used to form polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs). The surface characteristic of the modified microchip was studied by XPS. The electroosmotic flow (EOF) on PEMs modified PDMS microchips was more stable than that of the native PDMS microchips and the adsorption of samples was greatly reduced on PEMs modified PDMS microchips during the electrophoretic process. The column efficiencies on PEMs modified microchip were increased by 100 times and the signals enhanced by 2 times compared with those of native microchips. The separation conditions such as running buffer pH, running buffer concentration and separation voltage were also optimized.     

Facilitating the culture of mammalian nerve cells with polyelectrolyte multilayers

When neuron-like cells (NLCs) derived from pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cells (P19) are cultured on bare tissue culture substrates, they require a monolayer of fibroblast cells to exhibit normal neurite outgrowth, behavior typical of neuronal cultures. However, substrate treatment with polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) composed of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PSS) significantly improved these cultures. Cell morphology was more spread, indicative of healthy cells, and direct attachment of neuronal cell bodies to the treated surface was observed. Neuronal outgrowth across the surface was not dependent on an underlying fibroblast monolayer with the PEMs surface treatment. Additionally, the PEMs surface treatment can be used to condition various surfaces, facilitating neuronal cultures on surfaces which are natively hydrophilic (tissue culture polystyrene) or hydrophobic (poly(dimethylsiloxane), PDMS). Microfluidic networks were used to micropattern the PEMs onto PDMS, resulting in confined regions of cellular attachment and directed neuronal outgrowth. The ability of PEMs to encourage NLC attachment without supporting cells to a variety of surfaces and surface geometries greatly simplifies neuronal culture methodology and enables neuronal investigations in new environments.     

Multilayer membranes via layer-by-layer deposition of organic polymer protected Prussian blue nanoparticles and glucose oxidase for glucose biosensing

Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) are now widely used for bioanalytical applications. In this work, a bilayer of poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) is consecutively adsorbed on 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid modified Au electrode surfaces, forming stable, ultrathin multilayer films. Subsequently, Prussian blue nanoparticles protected by PDDA (denoted as P-PB) and negatively charged glucose oxidase (GOx) are consecutively adsorbed onto the PSS-terminated bilayer. The growth of each of the P-PB/GOx bilayers is followed quantitatively using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and the electrochemical method. The P-PB nanoparticles can catalyze the electroreduction of hydrogen peroxide formed from enzymatic reaction at lower potential and inhibit the responses of interferents, such as ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA). Performance of the multilayer films can be tailored by controlling the number of bilayers. Under optimal conditions, a linear range of 0.10 to 11.0 mM and a detection limit of 10 microM were achieved. The glucose biosensor has good stability and reproducibility.     

静电层层自组装制备聚苯乙烯微球(核)/MCM-41纳米粒子(壳)阶层结构复合微粒

采用聚苯乙烯磺酸钠(PSS)和聚二烯丙基二甲基氯化铵(PDDA)两种聚电解质, 通过静电层层自组装成功地将MCM-41介孔二氧化硅纳米粒子包覆到聚苯乙烯(PS)微球表面. 实验结果表明, 当以尺寸为1.4 μm的PS微球为核时, 包覆了两个聚电解质双层(PDDA/PSS)2的PS(PDDA/PSS)2(PDDA/MCM-41)复合结构微粒与包覆了一个聚电解质双层(PDDA/PSS)的PS(PDDA/PSS)(PDDA/MCM-41)复合结构微粒相比, 复合结构微粒之间的交联程度降低, 但是MCM-41纳米粒子在聚苯乙烯微球表面的包覆都比较松散, 且产物中存在大量杂质. 而当以尺寸为5 μm的聚苯乙烯微球为核时, MCM-41纳米粒子紧密地包覆在聚苯乙烯微球表面, 复合结构微粒之间只有少量桥连物, 且产物中杂质很少.     

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.     

Characterization of a low-wettable surface based on perfluoroalkyl acrylate copolymers

The low-wettable surfaces based on perfluoroalkyl acrylate (FA)/n-alkyl acrylate copolymers with various amounts of FA units were presented to analyze their surface properties. The FA copolymers were prepared by soap-free emulsion polymerization in the presence of sodium 2-acrylamide-2-methyl propanesulfonate (AMPSNa) used as a reactive surfactant. Low-wettability properties resulted from the self-assembly of fluorine-containing side chains, surface density and extent of orientation of perfluoroalkyl (R_F) groups. The wetting behavior of the low-wettable surfaces was discussed from a standpoint of dynamic contact angles measurement, which implied an enrichment of perfluoroalkyl groups on the topmost surface. Increased R_F surface densities and orientation, measured by attenuated total reflectance spectra of infrared (ATR-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning force microscopy (SFM), respectively, were consistent with higher angles.     

Characterization of the growth of polyelectrolyte multilayers formed at interfaces between aqueous phases and thermotropic liquid crystals

Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) formed at interfaces between aqueous solutions and thermotropic (water-immiscible) liquid crystals (LCs) offer the basis of a new method to tailor the nanometer-scale structure and chemical functionality of these interfaces. Toward this end, we report a study that compares the growth of PEMs formed at mobile and deformable interfaces defined by LCs relative to growth observed at model (rigid) solid surfaces. Experiments aimed at determining if polyelectrolytes such as poly(sodium-4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) can partition from the aqueous phase into the bulk of the LC yielded no evidence of such partitioning. Whereas measurements of the growth of PEMs formed from poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and PSS at the aqueous-LC interface revealed growth characteristics similar to those measured at both hydrophobic and hydrophilic interfaces of solids, the growth of PEMs from PAH and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) at the aqueous-LC interface was found to differ substantially from the solids investigated: (i) the linear growth of PEMs of PAH/PAA that was measured at the aqueous-LC interface under conditions that did not lead to the growth of PEMs at the interface of octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS)-treated glass (a hydrophobic solid surface), and (ii) in comparison to the growth of PEMs of PAH/PAA at the surface of glass (a hydrophilic charged surface), a higher rate of growth was observed at the aqueous-LC interface. The finding that the growth rate of PEMs of PAH/PAA at aqueous-LC interfaces is greater than on solid surfaces is supported by additional measurements of growth as a function of pH. Finally, the pH-triggered reorganization of PAH/PAA PEMs supported at the aqueous-LC interface led to changes in the order and optical properties of the LC. These data are discussed in light of the nature of aqueous-LC interfaces, including the mobility and deformability of the interface and recent measurements of the zeta-potentials of aqueous-LC interfaces.     

Long‐Range Hydrophilic Attraction between Water and Polyelectrolyte Surfaces in Oil

The outstanding water wettability and the capability of polyelectrolyte surfaces to spontaneously clean oil fouling are determined by their wetting mechanism in the surrounding medium. Here, we have quantified the nanomechanics between three types of polyelectrolyte surfaces (i.e. zwitterionic, cationic, and anionic) and water or oil drops using an atomic force microscope (AFM) drop probe technique, and elucidated the intrinsic wetting mechanisms of the polyelectrolyte surfaces in oil and water media. The measured forces between oil drops and polyelectrolyte surfaces in water can be described by the Derjaguin‐Landau‐Verwey‐Overbeek (DLVO) theory. Surprisingly, strong long‐range attraction was discovered between polyelectrolyte surfaces and water drops in oil, and the strongest interaction was measured for the polyzwitterion. This unexpected long‐range “hydrophilic” attraction in oil could be attributed to a strong dipolar interaction because of the large dipole moment of the polyelectrolytes. Our results provide new nanomechanical insights into the development of novel polyelectrolyte‐based materials and coatings for a wide range of engineering, bioengineering, and environmental applications.     

CO2‐Responsive Nanofibrous Membranes with Switchable Oil/Water Wettability

Responsive polymer interfacial materials are ideal candidates for controlling surface wetting behavior. Here we developed smart nanostructured electrospun polymer membranes which are capable of switching oil/water wettability using CO₂ as the trigger. In particular, the combination of CO₂‐responsiveness and porous nanostructure enables the as‐prepared membranes to be used as a novel oil/water on–off switch. We anticipate that the promising versatility and simplicity of this system would not only open up a new way of surface wettability change regulation by gas, but also have obvious advantages in terms of highly controlled oil/water separation and CO₂ applications.     

Control of Ice Propagation by Using Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Coatings

Ice propagation is of great importance to the accumulation of ice/frost on solid surfaces. However, no investigation has been reported on the tuning of ice propagation through a simple coating process. Herein, we study the ice propagation behavior on polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) surfaces coated with the layer‐by‐layer (LBL) deposition approach. We discover that ice propagation is strongly dependent on the amount of water in the outermost layer of PEMs, that is, the ice propagation rate increases with the amount of water in the outermost layer. The ice propagation rate can be tuned by up to three orders of magnitude by changing the polyelectrolyte pairs, counterions of the outermost polymer layer, or the salt concentration during the preparation of PEMs. Because the simple, versatile, and inexpensive LBL deposition approach is generally applicable to almost all available surfaces, the PEM coatings can tune ice propagation on a wide range of substrates.     

Preparation of High‐Performance Water‐Soluble Quantum Dots for Biorecognition through Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer

An improved method for the synthesis of high‐performance and water‐soluble quantum dots (QDs) involving the encapsulation of mercaptosuccinic acid coated QDs (MSA‐QDs) with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) followed by their direct photoactivation with fluorescent radiation near 295 K to yield PDDA‐coated QDs (PDDA‐QDs) has been demonstrated. The quantum yield (QY) of the PDDA‐QDs was significantly improved from 0.6 (QY of MSA‐QDs) to 48 %. By using this synthetic strategy, highly photoluminescent PDDA‐QDs of varied size were readily prepared. The surface properties of PDDA‐QDs and MSA‐QDs were extensively characterized. The highly luminescent and positively charged PDDA‐QDs serve as a useful and convenient tool for protein adsorption. With a Δ⁵‐3‐ketosteroid isomerase adsorbed PDDA‐QD complex, the biorecognition of steroids was demonstrated through the application of fluorescent resonance energy transfer.     

具有各向异性微纳米分级结构表面的构筑及其特殊浸润性的研究进展

自然界存在许多具有各向异性表面结构的生物,其表面表现出典型的对液体操控的方向性的差异。近年来,这种表面微结构的构筑引起了广泛的研究兴趣,已成为一个热点研究方向。天然的各向异性浸润表面是由复杂的异质微纳米结构组成,基于基础研究和应用推广的目的,可以将其简化为一些有序的方向性结构表面。本文介绍了现在应用广泛的几种各向异性微纳米分级结构的构筑方法,并对比分析其可行性。同时,文中还深入讨论了各向异性微纳米分级结构表面对于液体行为的调控。这种各向异性微纳米分级结构表面在微流体运输、微流控芯片等领域将有重要应用,也会对生命科学(比如生物芯片和重大疾病的早期诊断)、能源(比如电极材料的可控制备)和环境(比如污染物的分离及定向转化)等研究做出巨大的贡献。     

聚电解质PDDA/PSS层层自组装膜的渗透汽化性能

采用聚电解质层层自组装(LbL)技术, 在不同盐浓度下制备了聚(二烯丙基二甲基氯化铵)/聚苯乙烯磺酸钠(PDDA/PSS) 多层自组装膜, 并用于渗透汽化性能的研究. 重点考察了组装溶液中NaCl的浓度、组装层数及操作温度对自组装膜的异丙醇脱水性能的影响. 同时, 用扫描电镜观测了不同条件下制备膜的表面形貌. 结果表明, 在高NaCl含量的聚电解质溶液中只需组装几个双层的LbL膜, 即能获得较高的分离因子和较大的通量, 并解释了该LbL膜呈现反“trade-off”现象的原因.