Cell surface engineering with polyelectrolyte multilayer thin films

Layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films represents a bottom-up approach for re-engineering the molecular landscape of cell surfaces with spatially continuous and molecularly uniform ultrathin films. However, fabricating PEMs on viable cells has proven challenging owing to the high cytotoxicity of polycations. Here, we report the rational engineering of a new class of PEMs with modular biological functionality and tunable physicochemical properties which have been engineered to abrogate cytotoxicity. Specifically, we have discovered a subset of cationic copolymers that undergoes a conformational change, which mitigates membrane disruption and facilitates the deposition of PEMs on cell surfaces that are tailorable in composition, reactivity, thickness, and mechanical properties. Furthermore, we demonstrate the first successful in vivo application of PEM-engineered cells, which maintained viability and function upon transplantation and were used as carriers for in vivo delivery of PEMs containing biomolecular payloads. This new class of polymeric film and the design strategies developed herein establish an enabling technology for cell transplantation and other therapies based on engineered cells.     

Nanometer-scale decomposition of ultrathin multilayered polyelectrolyte films

We report that ultrathin multilayered films fabricated from plasmid DNA and synthetic polyamines undergo nanometer-scale transformations that resemble spinodal decomposition when incubated in aqueous media. The patterns and structures generated by this transformation are similar to those observed for the spinodal dewetting of thin films of conventional polymers. This behavior has not, however, been observed for this class of multilayered assemblies, for which long-range electrostatic interactions play significant roles in governing film structure and stability. We demonstrate that it is possible to promote this behavior, prevent it, or control it by varying polymer structure, film composition, or the conditions to which these materials are exposed. These results suggest the basis of methods that could prove useful for the generation of nanostructure on complex surfaces and contribute to methods for the localized delivery of DNA from surfaces.     

Titanate nanotube thin films via alternate layer deposition

Layer-by-layer growth of titanate nanotubes on glass substrates was achieved by alternate layer deposition using an aqueous solution of colloidal titanate nanotubes and that of a polycation. Even a single layer thin film of titanate nanotube shows high photoinduced hydrophilicity.     

Electronic properties of conjugated polyelectrolyte thin films

The electronic properties of conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) with poly(fluorene-co-phenylene) backbones and different counterions and charges have been investigated using absorption and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). The optical energy band gap of CPEs depends mainly on their conjugated backbone and are nearly insensitive to the charges or counterions. UPS measurements reveal that electron injection from Au to polymers with cationic groups is more efficient than for the neutral and anionic counterparts. The vacuum levels of CPEs were also shifted toward higher or lower binding energy, relative to that of Au, depending on the charge and counterion presence, and provide insight into the general alignment of dipoles at the metal/organic interface.     

Chemical surface deposition and growth rate of thin CdSe films

Chemical surface deposition of thin CdSe films was studied. The conditions for preparing thin films were examined, the degrees of Cd conversion in the starting compounds were determined, and the film thicknesses were measured.     

Elaboration of spin-coated cellulose-xyloglucan multilayered thin films

In the context of developing a biomimetic model of the primary cell wall, our aim was to produce multilayered thin films composed of cellulose nanocrystals (CN) and xyloglucan (XG). We investigated the effect of XG concentrations ranging from 0.5 g/L to 10 g/L. The choice of concentration was based on rheological investigation of the XG solutions which indicated that the two lower concentrations (0.5 and 1 g/L) correspond to a semidilute regime where the polymer chains are not entangled, whereas they are entangled at the highest concentrations (5 and 10 g/L). Several processes of film preparation were tested (dipping or spin-coating, with or without a rinsing step). The film growth profiles obtained for different XG concentrations by mechanical profilometry showed that spin-coating without rinsing was the most efficient process. Results showed that at high XG concentrations (XG = 5 g/L and XG = 10 g/L) plateau values were reached after the formation of 3 or 4 bilayers, whereas growth of the multilayer structure was linear at the lower XG concentrations (XG = 0.5 g/L and XG = 1 g/L). The thickness of one CN/XG bilayer corresponded to a single layer of CN covered by a thin XG layer, despite the absence of a rinsing step between successive coatings. The importance of the XG concentration was confirmed by determining by neutron reflectivity the film architecture obtained from four XG solutions after eight successive paired coatings. The results are discussed in relation to the role of XG in the plant cell wall.     

Construction of hydrolytically-degradable thin films via layer-by-layer deposition of degradable polyelectrolytes

Hydrolytically degradable, multilayered films ranging from 10 to 100 nm have been constructed by the layer-by-layer deposition of degradable polycations and oppositely charged polyanions. Polycations play dual roles in these systems, serving as structural components of the film as well as transient elements designed to trigger release; polyanions serve as structural components and as entities to be released or delivered. The films erode in a controlled manner under physiological conditions and are suitable for the incorporation and subsequent controlled release of functional polyanions such as DNA.     

Apparent dewetting of ultrathin multilayered polyelectrolyte films incubated in aqueous environments

We have investigated and characterized changes in film morphology and surface structure that occur when ultrathin multilayered polyelectrolyte films fabricated from linear poly(ethylene imine) (LPEI), sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) (SPS), and two hydrolytically degradable polyamines (polymers 1 and 2) are incubated in physiologically relevant environments. Characterization of the physical erosion profiles of films having the structure (LPEI/SPS)10(1/SPS)4(2/SPS)4 (approximately 80 nm thick) by atomic force microscopy (AFM), reflective optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that these materials undergo large-scale changes in surface structure and morphology upon incubation in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 37 degrees C. The patterns and structures generated during this transformation (e.g., nucleation and growth of holes, coalescence of holes, formation of cell-type structures, and the subsequent breakup of these features into droplets) are similar in many ways to those observed for the dewetting of thin films of conventional polymers, such as polystyrene, on nonwetting surfaces. The processes reported here are sufficiently slow (they occur over approximately 100 h) and occur under sufficiently mild conditions (e.g., incubation in PBS at 37 degrees C) to permit characterization and quantification of the structures and features that arise during the course of these transformations. The apparent dewetting of these ultrathin films upon exposure to aqueous environments creates future opportunities to investigate and characterize processes of mass transport in this class of ionically cross-linked assemblies.     

Surface aggregation structure and surface mechanical properties of binary polymer blend thin films

During preparation of very thin polymer belnd films from a solution of polymers, the phase‐separated structures which are quite different from that observed for the bulk blend film was observed. From atomic force microscopic(AFM) observation, it is concluded that the surface undulation, which reflects the phase separated morphology of the blend system, is present. In the case of (polystyrene(PS)/poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA)) blend system, a large influence of end‐group chemistry on the surface morphology was observed. The phase identification of the (rubbery polymer/glassy polymer) binary blend thin films was successfully achieved by scanning vioscoelasticity microsopy(SVM).     

Facile measurement of surface heat loss from polymer thin films via fluorescence thermometry

Quantitative determination of heat loss and transport within complex systems having inhomogeneous temperatures and several different components is important for applications ranging from electronics to solar cells. An approach and material system to study heat transport within and heat loss from polymer thin films is presented. In a thin film configuration with a cylindrical heating source, the theoretical solution for temperature as a function of radial position can be determined from fundamental principles. Use of embedded fluorescent molecules as temperature probes and manipulation of the relative location of heating and thermometry light sources allows experimental measurements of temperature versus position within the plane of the film. For a large range of practical cases, the exact theoretical solution can be well‐approximated by a single term, which enables a fit to experimental data, and subsequent determination of either the heat loss coefficient at the film's surface or the material's effective thermal conductivity. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56, 643–651     

Coulombic interactions on the deposition and rotational mobility distributions of dyes in polyelectrolyte multilayer thin films

We employed negatively charged fluorescein (FL), positively charged rhodamine 6G (R6G), and neutral Nile Red (NR) as molecular probes to investigate the influence of Coulombic interaction on their deposition into and rotational mobility inside polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films. The entrapment efficiency of the dyes reveals that while Coulombic repulsion has little effect on dye deposition, Coulombic attraction can dramatically enhance the loading efficiency of dyes into a PEM film. By monitoring the emission polarization of single dye molecules in polyethylenimine (PEI) films, the percentages of mobile R6G, NR, and FL were determined to be 87 +/- 4%, 76 +/- 5%, and 68 +/- 3%, respectively. These mobility distributions suggest that cationic R6G enjoys the highest degree of rotational freedom, whereas anionic FL shows the least mobility because of Coulombic attraction toward cationic PEI. Regardless of charges, this high percentage of mobile molecules is in stark contrast to the 5-40% probe mobility reported from spun-cast polymer films, indicating that our PEI films contain more free volume and display richer polymer dynamics. These observations demonstrate the potential of using isolated fluorescent probes to interrogate the internal structure of a PEM film at a microscopic level.     

Plasma deposition of thin films from a fluorine-containing cyclosiloxane

Thin films have been deposited from radio-frequency glow discharges fed with vapors of a silicon- and fluorine-containing organic compound, namely 2,4,6-tris[(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) (methyl)] cyclotrisiloxane, in mixture with argon. 2,4,6-tris[(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)(methyl)]cyclotrisiloxane A triode reactor has been utilized to deposit films by independently changing substrate temperature and bias-induced ion-bombardment. Laser interferometry, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy have been used to monitor film growth rate and composition. Results unambiguously show an activating effect of the ion-bombardment, which confirm the validity of the ion-assisted deposition model utilized for the plasma deposition of both teflon- and silicone-like films. In our experiments, low substrate temperature and bias conditions results in films with a “monomer-like” stoichiometry, while drastic conditions give origin to materials with a completely different composition and a markedly increased hardness. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Photocurrent generation in noncovalently assembled multilayered thin films

Multilayered photocurrent generating thin films were fabricated by templated noncovalent assembly via stepwise assembly of molecular components. Each of films I-IV contained an underlying self-assembled monolayer (SAM) consisting of an alkanethiol linked covalently to a 2,6-dicarboxypyridine ligand that served as a binding site for attaching additional molecular components. The SAM subsequently was functionalized by sequential deposition of Cu(II), Co(II), or Fe(III) ions followed by a variety of substituted 2,6-dicarboxypyridine ligands as a means to incorporate one or more layers of pyrene chromophores into the film. The films were characterized by contact angle measurements, ellipsometry, grazing incidence IR, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance spectroscopy after deposition of each layer, confirming the formation of ordered, stable layers. Following incorporation into a three-electrode system, photoexcitation resulted in the generation of a cathodic photocurrent in the presence of methyl viologen and an anodic photocurrent in the presence of triethanolamine. Using this strategy, systems were fabricated that produced up to 89 nA/cm(2) of reproducible photocurrent.     

Simulations of surface forces in polyelectrolyte solutions

We have simulated interactions between charged surfaces in the presence of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes by coupling perturbations in the isotension ensemble to a free energy variance minimization scheme. For polymeric systems, this method completely outperforms configurationally biased versions of grand canonical simulations. Proper diffusive equilibrium between bulk and slit has been established for polyelectrolytes with up to 60 monomers per chain. A consequence of imposing diffusive equilibrium conditions, in contrast to previous more restricted models, is the possibility of surface charge inversion; ion-ion correlation and the cooperativity of monomer adsorption drive the formation of a polyion layer close to the surface, that overcompensates the nominal surface charge. This is observed even at modest surface charge densities, and leads to a build up of a long ranged electrostatic barrier. In addition, the onset of charge inversion requires very low bulk polymer densities. Due to screening effects, this leads to a higher and more long-ranged free energy barrier at low, compared to high, bulk densities. Oscillatory forces, reminiscent of those found in simple hard sphere systems, are resolved in the high concentration regime. As a consequence of a second surface charge inversion, the system "stratifies" to form a stable polyelectrolyte layer in the central part of the slit, stabilized by the adsorbed surface layers.     

Photoelectrochemical deposition of thin tellurium films

Effect of polychromatic light on the electrochemical deposition of tellurium(IV) ions on a glass carbon electrode from acid solutions of 0.45 M Na₂SO₄ + 0.05 M H₂SO₄ with pH 2.2 was studied. It is shown that electrochemical reduction of tellurium(IV) is possible in two stages in the potentiodynamic mode at potentials in the range from 0 to ?1000 mV. Elementary tellurium is formed in the first stage (E = ?320 ± 20 mV) and is reduced to telluride ions in the second (E = ?700 ± 50 mV). It is demonstrated that, under potentiodynamic deposition conditions, visible light affects the generation of Te^2? ions at potentials more positive than the electrochemical potential. The chronoamperometric method revealed differences in the behavior of transient currents in the dark and under illumination. The elemental composition and the film surface morphology were studied by electron-probe analysis.     

Surface analysis of erodible multilayered polyelectrolyte films: nanometer-scale structure and erosion profiles

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with ellipsometry have been used to characterize the microscale and nanoscale structures of erodible multilayered films fabricated from degradable polyamine 1 and either sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) (SPS) or plasmid DNA. Striking differences were found in the topography, structures, and erosion profiles of these two materials upon incubation in PBS buffer at 37 degrees C. For films fabricated from SPS, AFM data are consistent with an erosion process that occurs uniformly without the generation of holes or pits over large, micrometer-scale areas. By contrast, films fabricated from plasmid DNA undergo structural rearrangements to present surface-bound particles ranging in size from 50 to 400 nm. Additional characterization of these particulate structures by SEM suggested that they are interpenetrated with or fused to underlying polyelectrolyte layers on the silicon surface, providing a potential mechanism to manipulate the adhesive forces with which these particles are bound to the surface. The erosion profile observed for polymer 1/SPS films suggests that it may be possible to design assemblies that release two film components with well-defined release kinetics. In the context of gene delivery, the presentation of condensed DNA as nanoparticles at these surfaces may be advantageous with respect to stimulating the internalization and processing of DNA by cells. A quantitative understanding of the factors influencing the fabrication, structure, and erosion profiles of these materials will be useful for the design of multilayered assemblies for specific applications in which controlled film erosion or the release of therapeutic materials is desired.     

Plasma deposition of silicon nitride-like thin films from organosilicon precursors

Plasmas containing hexamethyldisilazane or hexamethylcyclotrisilazane and nitrogen or ammonia were used to deposit silicon nitride-like films at low substrate temperature (T<60°C). Optical properties (refractive index and absorption coefficient), chemical composition of the deposit and film growth rate were examined with respect to the deposition parameters (rf power, pressure and feed composition). As deposited films from ammonia containing mixtures were silicon nitride-like, contained carbon, and were nearly oxygen free. Furthermore, only Si−N, Si−H, and N−H bonds were identified in as-deposited films. The reactive Si−H bonds progressively transformed into Si−O bonds as the films were exposed to air. Films deposited from highly ammonia-diluted mixtures, high RF power and low pressure showed the highest stability with refractive indices as high as 1.8.     

Effect of molecular interactions on the photophysics of Rose Bengal in polyelectrolyte solutions and self-assembled thin films

Solutions and layer-by-layer self-assembled thin films containing Rose Bengal and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) are studied with the aim of understanding the interactions controlling their structures and the photophysics of the dye in both media. A detailed spectroscopic and theoretical analysis shows that hydrophobic interactions among dye molecules contribute to the coiling of the polyelectrolyte chain in solution at low polyelectrolyte/dye ( P/ D) ratios, whereas extensive aggregation of the dye takes place even at ratios as high as 10(4) (expressed in monomeric units). A polyelectrolyte elongated form prevails in self-assembled thin films, providing an environment that reduces hydrophobic interactions and lowers the aggregation tendency. Self-assembled films with a roughly estimated overall dye concentration around 1 M at a P/ D ratio in the order of seven are fluorescent and photogenerate singlet molecular oxygen. This contrasts with the behavior of polyelectrolyte solutions, which are almost nonfluorescent and do not evidence triplet state generation at the same P/ D ratio.     

Neutron scattering from polyelectrolyte solutions

The neutron scattering intensity from polyelectrolyte solutions is calculated using an asymmetric primitive model electrolyte for the computation of the partial structure factors and a Debye function for the polyion form factor. The variation of the intensity with wavevector and concentration agrees with experimental results.     

Self-assembled polyelectrolyte multilayered films on Nafion with lowered methanol cross-over for DMFC applications

The paper is concerned with the deposition of self-assembled polyelectrolyte multilayer on Nafion membrane by layer-by-layer (LbL) technique with lowered methanol cross-over for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. The formation of self-assembled multilayered film on Nafion was characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy and it was found that the polyelectrolyte layers growth on the Nafion surface regularly. Furthermore, the proton conductivity and methanol cross-over measurements were carried out for characterization of the LbL self-assembled composite membranes. The results showed that the concentration and pH of the polyelectrolytes significantly affect the proton conductivity and methanol barrier properties of the composite membranes. 10⁻¹ monomol polyelectrolyte concentration and pH 1.8 was found to be optimum deposition conditions considering proton conductivity and methanol permeation properties of the LbL self-assembled composite membranes. The methanol permeability of the 10 bi-layers of PAH1.8/PSS1.8 deposited LbL self-assembly composite membrane was significantly suppressed and found to be 4.41 × 10⁻⁷ cm²/s while the proton conductivity value is in acceptable range for fuel cell applications.