Assembly of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylic acid microgel thin films on polyelectrolyte multilayers: Effects of polyelectrolyte layer thickness, surface charge, and microgel solution pH

Temperature- and pH-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)?Cco-acrylic acid (pNIPAm-co-AAc) microgels were deposited on glass substrates coated with polyelectrolyte multilayers composed of the polycation poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and the polyanion poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS). The microgel density and structure of the resultant films were investigated as a function of: (1) the number of PAH/PSS layers (layer thickness); (2) the charge on the outer layer of the polyelectrolyte multilayer film; and (3) the pH of microgel deposition solution. The resultant films were studied by differential interference contrast optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the coverage of the microgels on the surface was a complex function of the pH of the deposition solution, the charge on the outer layer of the polyelectrolyte thin film and the PAH/PSS layer thickness; although it appears that microgel charge plays the biggest role in determining the resultant surface coverage.     

Electron transfer studies on cholesterol LB films assembled on thiophenol and 2-naphthalenethiol self-assembled monolayers

We have formed the cholesterol monolayer and multilayer LB films on the self-assembled monolayers of 2-naphthalenethiol (2-NT) and thiophenol (TP) and studied the electrochemical barrier properties of these composite films using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. We have also characterized the cholesterol monolayer film using grazing angle FTIR, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cholesterol has a long hydrophobic steroid chain, which makes it a suitable candidate to assemble on the hydrophobic surfaces. We find that the highly hydrophobic surface formed by the self-assembled monolayers (SAM) of 2-NT and TP act as effective platforms for the fabrication of cholesterol monolayer and multilayer films. The STM studies show that the cholesterol monolayer films on 2-NT form striped patterns with a separation of 1.0 nm between them. The area per cholesterol molecule is observed to be 0.64 nm2 with a tilt angle of about 28.96 degrees from the surface normal. The electrochemical studies show a large increase in charge transfer resistance and lowering of interfacial capacitance due to the formation of the LB film of cholesterol. We have compared the behavior of this system with that of cholesterol monolayer and multilayers formed on the self-assembled monolayer of thiophenol.     

Electrochemical characterization of polyelectrolyte/gold nanoparticle multilayers self-assembled on gold electrodes

Polyelectrolyte/gold nanoparticle multilayers composed of poly(l-lysine) (pLys) and mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) stabilized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were built up using the electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly technique upon a gold electrode modified with a first layer of MSA. The assemblies were characterized using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, cyclic and square-wave voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Charge transport through the multilayer was studied experimentally as well as theoretically by using two different redox pairs [Fe(CN)(6)](3-/4-) and [Ru(NH(3))(6)](3+/2+). This paper reports a large sensitivity to the charge of the outermost layer for the permeability of these assemblies to the probe ions. With the former redox pair, dramatic changes in the impedance response were obtained for thin multilayers each time a new layer was deposited. In the latter case, the multilayer behaves as a conductor exhibiting a strikingly lower impedance response, the electric current being enhanced as more layers are added for Au NP terminated multilayers. These results are interpreted quite satisfactorily by means of a capillary membrane model that encompasses the wide variety of behaviors observed. It is concluded that nonlinear slow diffusion through defects (pinholes) in the multilayer is the governing mechanism for the [Fe(CN)(6)](3-/4-) species, whereas electron transfer through the Au NPs is the dominant mechanism in the case of the [Ru(NH(3))(6)](3+/2+) pair.     

Self-assembly of S-layer-enveloped cytochrome c polyelectrolyte multilayers

We report a study of the electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly of electroactive polyelectrolyte multilayers incorporating the redox protein cytochrome c (cyt c) combined with recrystallization of the bacterial cell wall surface layer from Bacillus sphaericus CCM 2177 SbpA (S-layer). The polyelectrolyte multilayer assembly was prepared on flat gold electrodes with a nanometer-scale roughness that allowed monitoring of the film formation throughout all the assembly stages by atomic force microscopy measurements in liquid with respect to topography and forces. The deposition of alternating layers of sulfonated polyaniline and cyt c was carried out by adsorption from the corresponding solutions on a cyt c monolayer electrode. The electroactivity of cyt c within the assembly was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry. We showed that the surface properties of the electrode terminating layer change after each adsorption step accordingly. We also found that S-layer recrystallization on the top of the multilayer film was feasible while electroactivity of cyt c within a polyelectrolyte matrix was partially maintained. This approach offers a new strategy to design a biocompatible and permselective outer envelope of a polyelectrolyte multilayer, promising sensor applications.     

Fabrication and Characterization of DNA/QPVP‐Os Redox‐Active Multilayer Film

Calf thymus DNA was immobilized on functionalized glassy carbon, gold and quartz substrates, respectively, by the layer‐by‐layer (LBL) assembly method with a polycation QPVP‐Os, a quaternized poly(4‐vinylpyridine) partially complexed with osmium bis(2,2′‐bipyridine) as counterions. UV‐visible absorption and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) showed that the resulting film was uniform with the average thickness 3.4 nm for one bilayer. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed that the total surface coverage of the polycations increases as each QPVP‐Os/DNA bilayer added to the electrode surface, but the surface formal potential of Os‐centered redox reaction shifts negatively, which is mainly attributed to the intercalation of redox‐active complex to DNA chain. The electron transfer kinetics of electroactive QPVP‐Os in the multilayer film was investigated by electrochemical impedance experiment for the first time. The permeability of Fe(CN) in the solution into the multilayer film depends on the number of bilayers in the film. It is worth noting that when the multilayer film is up to 4 bilayers, the CV curves of the multilayer films display the typical characteristic of a microelectrode array. The nanoporous structure of the multilayer film was further confirmed by the surface morphology analysis using atomic force microscopy (AFM).     

Layer by layer self-assembled polyelectrolyte multilayers with embedded phospholipid vesicles

We describe a method to embed phospholipid vesicles into polyelectrolyte multilayers built up by the alternate deposition of polyanions and polycations. Before deposition, the vesicles are rigidified by polycation adsorption onto their surface avoiding their fusion once deposited on the multilayer surface. The vesicles adsorb to form a compact and "hard" monolayer as imaged by atomic force microscopy. The thickness of the adsorbed vesicle layer, of the order of 250 nm, is very close to the diameter of the vesicles in solution. This work should open the route to the buildup of multilayer films containing phospholipid vesicles that could act as "reservoirs" for drugs or enzymatic nanoreactors.     

A novel biological active multilayer film based on polyoxometalate with pendant support-ligand

A novel nanosized biological active multilayer film composed of polyoxometalate (POM) anion α-[SiW₁₁O₃₉Co(H₂PO₄)]⁷⁻(abbr. SiW₁₁Co-PO₄) and poly(diallyldi methylammonium chloride) (abbr. PDDA) was fabricated by layer-by-layer self-assembly (LBL). The composition and growth processes of the films have been determined by X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra (UV). The composite film was formed by the alternate adsorption of SiW₁₁Co-PO₄ and PDDA, and the deposition process was quantitative and highly reproducible from layer to layer. The morphology of the film was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM), which showed that the film was relatively uniform and smooth, and POM anions aggregated into nanoclusters distributing on the surface uniformly. The film exhibited favorable electrochemical behavior of POM indicated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The film can immobilize the DNA molecules via Mg²⁺-bridging medium.     

Phase separations in pH-responsive polyelectrolyte multilayers: charge extrusion versus charge expulsion

Polyelectrolyte multilayers with continuously variable amounts of ionizable weak acid functionality were prepared by blending ionizable and nonionizable polyelectrolytes in the deposition solutions. Diluting ionizable groups in this way yielded multilayers that were more structurally stable, shown by thickness and atomic force microscopy measurements, as their internal polymer charge was varied by the pH of the external solution. Multilayers prepared with opposite surface charge to that appearing within the bulk (as a result of ionization) were more stable, as were thinner films, both results suggesting the extrusion of bulk charge to the surface. These multilayers were able to control the direction and magnitude of electroosmotic flow in microfluidics systems. Multilayers bearing only one, diluted layer ofionizable material were surprisingly effective in this respect.     

碳纳米管/超支化重氮盐自组装膜的制备及性能研究

利用静电吸附自组装技术将酸化处理后的单壁碳纳米管(SWNTs)与超支化重氮盐(DAS)组装成多层膜.利用紫外光谱、椭偏仪、原子力显微镜、扫描电镜、拉曼光谱等对自组装膜的生长过程、膜厚增长、自组装膜表面形貌以及纳米管在膜中的存在状态等进行了检测,并利用纳米压痕仪测试了自组装膜的硬度和弹性模量.研究结果表明,SWNTs与DAS不仅发生了静电吸附,而且还发生了化学交联.同时碳纳米管均匀分散在自组装膜中.这两种因素的共同作用使得自组装膜表现出良好的纳米力学性能,硬度达到2.0GPa左右,弹性模量达到10.0GPa左右,而且可以从基底上剥离下来成为独立支撑膜.     

Surface properties of biospecific coatings based on polyelectrolyte complexes of maleic acid copolymers

The surface properties of PE with bilayer and multilayer coatings based on polyelectrolyte complexes of the biospecific modified N-vinylpyrrolidone-maleic acid copolymer with chitosan, amphiphilic chitosan, or albumin have been investigated by atomic force microscopy, multiple attenuated total reflection spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and goniometry. The copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and maleic acid contains affine ligands to plasminogen—fragments of α-amino-bonded lysine—and imparts thromboresistant properties to the surface being modified. The surface morphology and the size of particles of deposited intermediate layers of chitosan or albumin differ from those of the bilayer (multilayer) coatings containing an additional external layer of the biospecific copolymer. The deposition of the multilayer polymeric coatings promotes a more thorough coverage of the protected surface. Characteristic absorption bands that demonstrate the presence of the modifying polymers on the PE surface have been revealed; this fact is also confirmed by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data on the atomic composition of the analyzed surface. A significant increase in the hydrophilicity of the modified surface is established by the contact angle technique.     

Perfecting imperfect "monolayers": removal of siloxane multilayers by CO2 snow treatment

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)-4-hydroxybutyramide were prepared on silicon oxide on silicon (Si/SiO(2)). Initial silane adsorption and high-temperature annealing led to a stable base monolayer with many large over-lying islands of disordered multilayers as a result of the non-self-limited growth process. The disordered multilayers were hydrolyzed and subsequently removed by CO(2) snow treatment. The resulting films were one monolayer thick as measured by ellipsometry. Atomic force microscopy, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and contact angle analysis showed that the films were composed of monolayers with full and uniform surface coverage rather than nonuniform coverage by islands or patches of multilayers. Monolayers of octadecyltrichlorosilane were also prepared by multilayer removal via CO(2) treatment, showing the general applicability of the technique toward siloxane SAMs. We believe that CO(2) is an excellent solvent for weakly bound and hydrolyzed molecules that compose multilayers, and this ability to prepare near-perfect monolayer films from imperfect ones allows for less stringent formation conditions.     

Multilayer assembly and patterning of poly(p-phenylenevinylene)s via covalent coupling reactions

Poly(p-phenylenevinylene)s with amines and pentafluorophenyl esters on side chains were synthesized and assembled on solid substrates by sequential layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition. This approach enables the creation of robust multilayer thin films via in-situ covalent coupling reactions between successive layers. The buildup of the multilayers was followed by UV/vis absorption spectroscopy and ellipsometry. The observed complex assembly behavior suggests that both covalent and hydrogen-bonding interactions are involved in the formation of multilayer films. The organized structure and surface morphology of resultant multilayers were investigated by reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. This covalent LBL method was further applied to generate conjugated polymer micropatterns using microstamped self-assembled monolayers as templates.     

Photochromic inorganic-organic multilayer films based on polyoxometalates and poly(ethylenimine)

Novel photochromic inorganic-organic multilayers composed of polyoxometalates and poly(ethylenimine) have been prepared by the layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly method. The growth process, composition, surface topography, and photochromic properties of the multilayer films were investigated by UV-visible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, electrospin resonance (ESR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Irradiated with ultraviolet light, the transparent films changed from colorless to blue. Moreover, the blue films showed good reversibility of photochromism and could recover the colorless state gradually in air, where oxygen plays an important role in the bleaching process. On account of the ESR and XPS results, parts of W6+ in multilayers were reduced to W5+, which exhibited a characteristic blue; a possible photochromic mechanism can be speculated. This work provides basic guideline for the assembly of multilayers with photochromic properties.     

Layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembly of single-wall carbon nanotube polyelectrolytes

We have used anionic and cationic single-wall carbon nanotube polyelectrolytes (SWNT-PEs), prepared by the noncovalent adsorption of ionic naphthalene or pyrene derivatives on nanotube sidewalls, for the layer-by-layer self-assembly to prepare multilayers from carbon nanotubes with polycations, such as poly(diallyldimethylammonium) or poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PDADMA or PAH, respectively), and polyanions (poly(styrenesulfonate), PSS). This is a general and powerful technique for the fabrication of thin carbon nanotube films of arbitrary composition and architecture and allows also an easy preparation of all-SWNT (SWNT/SWNT) multilayers. The multilayers were characterized with vis-near-IR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and imaging ellipsometry. The charge compensation in multilayers is mainly intrinsic, which shows the electrostatic nature of the self-assembly process. The multilayer growth is linear after the initial layers, and in SWNT/polyelectrolyte films it can be greatly accelerated by increasing the ionic strength in the SWNT solution. However, SWNT/SWNT multilayers are much more inert to the effect of added electrolyte. In SWNT/SWNT multilayers, the adsorption results in the deposition of 1-3 theoretical nanotube monolayers per adsorbed layer, whereas the nominal SWNT layer thickness is 2-3 times higher in SWNT/polyelectrolyte films prepared with added electrolyte. AFM images show that the multilayers contain a random network of nanotube bundles lying on the surface. Flexible polyelectrolytes (e.g., PDADMA, PSS) probably surround the nanotubes and bind them together. On macroscopic scale, the surface roughness of the multilayers depends on the components and increases with the film thickness.     

Metallosupramolecular Chemistry in Two Dimensions

Ultrathin films of metallosupramolecular coordination polyelectrolytes (MEPEs) on planar solid substrates assembled by electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly (ELSA) are characterized with UV-vis spectroscopy, optical ellipsometry, and X-ray reflectometry. MEPEs based on different ditopic ligands and transition metal ions are employed and shown to form regular ELSA multilayers. A quantitative analysis is in agreement with a surface coverage of approximately two MEPE monolayers per deposition step. In addition, we demonstrate that multilayers of MEPEs with different transition metal ions can be assembled. Even with kinetically labile metal ions, there is no metal ion exchange in these multilayers. Absorption spectra of multilayers on silicon show a band inversion of the MLCT band, which is rationalized in terms of optical effects.     

Layer-by-layer deposited multilayer films of oligo(pyrenebutyric acid) and a perylene diimide derivative: structure and photovoltaic properties

Multilayer films of oligo(pyrenebutyric acid) (OPB) and N,N'-bis(N,N-dimethylaminopropylaminopropyl)-3,4,9,10-perylenediimide (BDMAPAP-PDI) were successfully fabricated by layer-by-layer deposition. Multilayer growth was monitored by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, ellipsometry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was found that extraction was scarcely observed although both components (OPB and BDMAPAP-PDI) have low molecular weights and both electrostatic interactions and pi-pi stacking contributed to the multilayer deposition. The multilayers exhibit a rapid photocurrent response, and excitations of both OPB and BDMAPAP-PDI can lead to the effective charge dissociation. The incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of the composite film with 5 bilayers was measured to be 1.29% at the absorption peak of BDMAPAP-PDI. Fluorescence quenching and photovoltaic conversion studies indicated that strong photoinduced charge transfer interactions occurred at the area of OPB/BDMAPAP-PDI heterojunction in the films, which strongly enhanced the photoresponse of the multilayer films.     

Electrochemical Properties of Multilayered Coatings Implementing Thiacalix[4]arenes with Oligolactic Fragments and DNA

Layer‐by‐layer assembling of polyelectrolyte complexes on glassy carbon electrode utilizing derivatives of p‐tert‐butylthiacalix[4]arene modified with oligolactic acid in cone, partial cone and 1,3‐alternate configurations has been performed and characterized by atomic force microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Structure, surface morphology and permeability of the coatings depended on the number and nature of individual layers. Configuration of macrocyclic core influenced the charge distribution and flexibility of polyelectrolytes and the electrochemical properties of the coatings. Partial substitution of oligolactic derivatives with the DNA molecules allowed distinguishing native, thermally and oxidatively damaged DNA by ferricyanide ion signals. The relationships between the coating structure and the content can be further used for development of electrochemical sensors devoted to the detection of specific DNA interactions.     

Assembly process of CuHCF/MPA multilayers on gold nanoparticles modified electrode and characterization by electrochemical SPR

Gold nanoparticles were deposited onto 2-mercaptoethylamine (MEA)-assembled planar gold thin film to construct gold nanoparticles modified electrode by virtue of a solution-based self-assembly strategy. Subsequently, 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-bridged copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) multilayers were constructed on the as-prepared gold nanoparticles modified electrode. The resulted multilayer nanostructures were investigated by electrochemical surface plasmon resonance (EC-SPR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) with primary emphasis upon the effect of the gold nanoparticles on the MPA/CuHCF multilayers growth and their surface morphology. Compared with the multilayer system on a planar gold electrode, the different electrochemical and optical properties might result from higher curvature effect and extraordinary surface-to-volume ratio characteristic of gold nanoparticles and the nanoparticle-selective growth of CuHCF. A dendrimer-like assembly process was proposed to explain the experiment results. This new motif of multilayer on the gold nanoparticles modified electrode was different from that of on a planar gold electrode, indicating a potential application of EC-SPR technique in the study of nanocomposite materials.     

Adsorption of novel thermosensitive graft-copolymers: Core-shell particles prepared by polyelectrolyte multilayer self-assembly

The adsorption properties of thermosensitive graft-copolymers are investigated with the aim of developing self-assembled multilayers from these copolymers. The copolymers consist of a thermoreversible main chain of poly(N-isopropylacrylamid) and a weak polyelectrolyte, poly(2-vinylpyridine), as grafted side chains. Zeta-potential, single particle light scattering and adsorption isotherms monitor the adsorption of the thermoreversible copolymers to precoated colloidal particles. The results show a smaller surface coverage for a larger density of grafted chains. The surface coverage is discussed in terms of surface charge density in the adsorbed monolayer. Taking into account the monolayer adsorption properties, conditions are developed for the multilayer formation from these copolymers. A low pH provides a sufficient charge density of the grafted chains to achieve a surface charge reversal of the colloids upon adsorption. The charge reversal after each adsorbed layer is monitored by zeta-potential and the increase of the thickness is determined by light scattering. Stable and reproducible multilayers are obtained. The results imply that the conformation of the thermosensitive component in multilayers depends strongly on the grafting density, where the polymer with a higher grafting density adsorbs in a flat conformation while that with a lower grafting density adsorbs with more loops.     

Self‐Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles/Electroactive Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films for Tunable Electrocatalysis

This study described fabrication, characterization, and application of multilayer films based on layer‐by‐layer assembly of ferrocene poly(ethylenimine) and gold nanoparticles. Assembly process of the multilayer film was investigated by atomic force microscopy, UV‐visible absorption spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The multilayer films exhibited a pair of well‐defined redox peaks as revealed by cyclic voltammetry, as well as bifunctional and fine‐tunable electrocatalysis for oxidation of ascorbic acid and reduction of oxygen. Both the outer layer and layer number had effect on the electrocatalytic response. Electrocatalytic activity of the films could be controlled with assemblies at the nanoscale level by simply adjusting deposition cycles or amount of component in the films.