Influence of solution conditions on formation of amphiphilic hyperbranched polyanion/linear polycation multilayer films

Amphiphilic hyperbranched polyester (P2) consisting of a hydrophobic core, surrounded by aromatic carboxylic acids, is self-assembled into aggregates in aqueous solution at pH region of 3.8–4.7 and in THF–water mixed solution at THF/water volume ratio of 1/100–1/10. With P2 in both aqueous and THF–water mixed solution as polyanion and linear poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDAC) as polycation, self-assembled films were successfully formed by layer-by-layer dipping. The solution condition of P2, including the pH of aqueous solution and the THF/water volume ratio, affected not only the absorption behavior of P2 but also the surface morphology and hydrophilicity of the films with P2 as the outmost layer. At lower pH or higher THF/water volume ratio the aggregation of P2 in solution was enhanced, thus resulting in higher adsorption rate for P2, more rough and less hydrophilic surface for the films.