Influence of the Degree of Ionization on Weak Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Assembly

Molecular “Wiring” Glucose Oxidase in Supramolecular Architecture

Supramolecular organized multilayers were constructed by multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified with ferrocene-derivatized poly(allylamine) redox polymer and glucose oxidase by electrostatic self-assembly. From the analysis of voltammetric signals and fluorescence results, a linear increment of the coverage of enzyme per bilayer was estimated, which demonstrated that the multilayer is constructed in a spatially ordered manner. The cyclic voltammograms obtained from the indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes coated by the (Fc-PAH@CNT/GOx)n multilayers revealed that bioelectrocatalytic response is directly correlated to the number of deposited bilayers; that is, the sensitivity is tunable by controlling the number of bilayers associated with ITO electrodes. The incorporation of redox-polymer-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNT) into enzyme films resulted in a 6-10-fold increase in the glucose electrocatalytic current; the bimolecular rate constant of FADH2 oxidation (wiring efficiency) was increased up to 12-fold. Impedance spectroscopy data have yielded the electron diffusion coefficient (De) of this nanostructure to be over 10(-8) cm2 s(-1), which is typically higher than those systems without CNT by at least a factor of 10, indicating that electron transport in the new supramolecular architecture was enhanced by communication of the redox active site of enzyme, redox polymer, and CNT.

Interaction of myoglobin with poly(methacrylic acid) at different pH in their layer-by-layer assembly films: an electrochemical study

Myoglobin (Mb), with net positive surface charges at pH 5.0, was successfully assembled into layer-by-layer films on various solid surfaces with poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) at different pH, designated as {PMAA(pH 5.0)/Mb}n, {PMAA(pH 6.5)/Mb}n, and {PMAA(pH 8.0)/Mb}n, respectively. As a weak polycarboxylic acid with pKa=6 - 7, PMAA carried different negative charges at different pH due to different ionization degree of its carboxylic acid groups. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), UV-vis spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to monitor and confirm the assembly of {PMAA/Mb}n films. All the results showed that the adsorption amount of Mb in each bilayer had an "unexpected" sequence of {PMAA(pH 5.0)/Mb}n>{PMAA(pH 6.5)/Mb}n>{PMAA(pH 8.0)/Mb}n, which could be explained by the formation of soluble complex of PMAA-Mb at pH 8.0 and the cooperative effect of hydrogen bonding and induced electrostatic interaction between Mb and PMAA at pH 5.0. The influence of ionic strength in exposure solution and in Mb adsorbate solution was investigated, and the results supported the above explanations. The {PMAA/Mb}n films provided a suitable microenvironment for Mb to retain its near-native structure and transfer electron with underlying electrodes. The reversible CV peak pair for Mb Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple could be used to catalyze reduction of hydrogen peroxide electrochemically, showing the potential applicability of the films as the new type of biosensors or bioreactors based on the direct electrochemistry of Mb. The electrochemical and electrocatalytic behaviors of protein layer-by-layer films with weak polyelectrolytes could thus be controlled by adjusting the solution pH of weak polyelectrolytes.

Reversible disulfide cross-linking in layer-by-layer films: preassembly enhanced loading and pH/reductant dually controllable release

This paper describes the fabrication of polyelectrolyte multilayer film which combines preassembly of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphine-p,p',p' ',p' ''-tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium hydrate (TPPS) in aqueous solution with the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of the PAH-TPPS complex and cross-linkable polyelectrolyte, PAASH60, which is a poly(acrylic acid) with 60% of its carboxylic acid grafted of thiol groups. During preassembly, TPPS was incorporated into PAH chains. After oxidative cross-linking to form disulfide bonds in between the layers, the multilayer with preassembly of the PAH-TPPS complex allowed for release and loading of TPPS in a reproducible way. The release of TPPS from the loaded film was a pH-controlled process. To compare with the conventional multilayer, the reloading capacity was greatly enhanced, which was related to the charge binding sites that formed by release of TPPS from the multilayer. Moreover, the release of TPPS could also be achieved by breaking off the cross-linking through reduction of disulfide bonds, and the release rates could be controlled by the reductive efficiency of the reductants in the media. In this way, the release of TPPS is pH/reductant dually controllable, thereby facilitating a new route to multistimuli controllable materials.

Counterions in layer-by-layer films--influence of the drying process

The amount of counterions, measured by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), in layer-by-layer (LbL) films of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS), prepared from solutions with various NaCl concentrations, is shown to be greatly influenced by the film drying process: a smaller amount of counterions is observed in films dried after adsorption of each layer, when compared with films that were never dried during the film preparation. This is attributed to the formation of NaCl nanocrystals during the drying process which dissolve when the film is again immersed in the next polyelectrolyte solution. The presence of bonded water molecules was confirmed in wet films indicating that the counterions near the ionic groups are immersed in a water network. The number of counterions is dependent on the amount of salt in polyelectrolyte solutions in such a way that for a concentration of 0.2 M the relative amount of counterions attains saturation for both dried and wet samples, indicating that the process which leads the aggregation of counterions near of the ionic groups is not influenced by the drying process. Moreover, it is proven for wet samples that the increase in salt concentration leads to a decrease in the number of PAH ionized groups as predicted by the Muthukumar theory [J. Chem. Phys. 120 (2004) 9343] accounting for the counterion condensation on flexible polyelectrolytes.

Effect of chain length and charge density on the construction of polyelectrolyte multilayers on colloidal particles

Two combinations of sodium poly(4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) of different chain length and charge density are employed to construct multilayer films. The polyelectrolytes are assembled layer-by-layer on colloidal particles in the absence of salt. We have investigated the formation and electrical characteristics of the films by using electric light scattering technique. The results show that the film thickness is independent of the chain length when fully charged PAH (at pH 4.6) is combined with fully charged PSS. When the films are prepared with less charged PAH (at pH 6.7) and fully charged PSS, lower thickness is found for the film with shorter polymer chains. In all cases, the thickness increment realized on addition of the polymer with lower molar concentration is partially lost on exposure to the solution with higher concentration of the oppositely charged partner. When the film growth is regular (at equal molar concentrations of the fully charged polyelectrolytes), the ratio of PSS to PAH charge, estimated from the electro-optical effect values, exceeds 1. The electro-optical effect is also higher for the films ending with PSS when fully charged PSS is combined with less charged PAH (at pH 6.7). This reveals the key role of the charge in the last-adsorbed layer for the electro-optical behavior of the whole film.

Polypeptide multilayer films on colloidal particles: An in situ electro-optical study

The buildup of poly(L-glutamic acid) (PGA) and poly(L-lysine) (PLL) multilayers on beta-FeOOH colloidal particles was investigated by means of electro-optics and electrophoresis. The films were built at different (acidic) pH in the absence of salt. We found that the thickness of the film grows linearly when the fully charged PLL (at pH 5.5) is combined with almost fully charged PGA (at pH 6.5), with a thickness of about 2 nm per single layer. When the fully charged PLL is combined with weakly charged PGA (at pH 4.5), the film thickness increases exponentially with the number of deposited layers. The thickness of the exponentially growing film increases to 300 nm after deposition of 16 layers. The exponential film growth is attributed to the ability of the PLL to diffuse "in" and "out" of the film bulk at each deposition step. The variation in the electrical polarizability of the film-coated particles was also monitored as a function of the number of adsorbed layers. The result reveals that the PLL chains, which can diffuse into the film bulk, have no measurable contribution to the electro-optical effect of the films terminated with PLL. It is only due to the polarization of counterions of the PLL adsorbed on the film surface.

The influence of pH on a hydrogen-bonded assembly film

A detailed study of the influence of pH on the hydrogen-bonding layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly film constructed from poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVPON) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was carried out. It was found that the LBL assembly process of a PVPON-PAA film is very sensitive to pH. pH 4.0 is the critical value for film build-up: at pH values above 4.0, the assembly of PVPON and PAA is almost halted, whereas for pH < 4.0, PVPON and PAA can be successfully deposited. For pH < 4.0, there are two transitions in the plot of film thickness as a function of pH value, and pH can affect the film thickness greatly, from several angstroms to hundreds of nanometres per dipping cycle. Moreover, pH also affects the morphology of the films and the composition of PVPON and PAA in the film. The influence of pH upon the PVPON-PAA film can be considered as a consequence of the pH-induced charge density and the conformation change of PAA. In addition, the pH discrepancy between the build-up and disintegration of the hydrogen-bonded film is discussed, and pH 5.5 can be considered to be the onset value of disintegration of the PVPON-PAA film, which is higher than the critical pH value of build-up (pH 4.0).

Automated process for improved uniformity and versatility of layer-by-layer deposition

The recently developed practice of spraying polyelectrolyte solutions onto a substrate in order to construct thin films via the layer-by-layer technique has been further investigated and extended. Here we describe a fully automated system capable of depositing thin polymer films from atomized mists of solutions containing species of complementary functionality. Film growth is shown to be similar to that in conventional "dipped" LbL assembly, whereas the reported technology allows us to realize 25-fold decreases in process times. Furthermore, complete automation removes human interaction and the possibility of operator-induced nonuniformities. We extend the versatility of the spray LbL technology by depositing both weak and strong polyelectrolyte films, hydrogen-bonded films, and dendritic compounds and nanoparticles, broadening its range of future applications. Finally, the technology is used to uniformly coat an otherwise hydrophobic substrate from aqueous solutions. ESEM images indicate that the atomization process produces a conformal coating of individual nanofibers within the substrate, dramatically changing the hydrophilicity of the macroscopic surface. Such an automated system is easily converted to an array of nozzle banks and could find application in the rapid, uniform coating of large areas of textile materials.

Silver-particle-based surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering spectroscopy for biomolecular sensing and recognition

We demonstrate in this work that 2-microm-sized Ag (microAg) powders can be used as a core material for constructing biomolecular sensing/recognition units operating via surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS). This is possible because microAg powders are very efficient substrates for both the diffuse reflectance IR and the surface-enhanced Raman scattering-SERRS spectroscopic characterization of molecular adsorbates prepared in a similar manner on silver surfaces. Besides, the agglomeration of microAg particles in a buffer solution can be prevented by the layer-by-layer deposition of cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes such as poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). In this particular study, we used rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RhBITC) as a SERRS marker molecule, and microAg powders adsorbed consecutively with RhBITC and PAH-PAA bilayers were finally derivatized with biotinylated poly(L-lysine). On the basis of the nature of the SERRS peaks of RhBITC, those microAg powders were confirmed to selectively recognize streptavidin molecules down to concentrations of 10(-10) g mL-1. Since a number of different molecules can be used as SERS-SERRS marker molecules, the present method proves to be an invaluable tool for multiplex biomolecular sensing/recognition via SERS and SERRS.

Structure of poly(acrylic acid) in electrolyte solutions determined from simulations and viscosity measurements

In this work, the structure of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) molecules in electrolyte solutions obtained from molecular dynamic simulations was compared with experimental data derived from dynamic light scattering (PCS), dynamic viscosity, and electrophoretic measurements. Simulations and measurements were carried out for polymer having a molecular weight of 12 kD for various ionic strengths of the supporting electrolyte (NaCl). The effect of the ionization degree of the polymer, regulated by the change in the pH of the solution in the range 4-9 units, was also studied systematically. It was predicted from theoretical simulations that, for low electrolyte concentration (10(-3) M) and pH = 9 (full nominal ionization of PAA), the molecule assumed the shape of a flexible rod having the effective length L(ef) = 21 nm, compared to the contour length L(ext) = 41 nm predicted for a fully extended polymer chain. For an electrolyte concentration of 0.15 M, it was predicted that L(ef) = 10.5 nm. For a lower ionization degree, a significant folding of the molecule was predicted, which assumed the shape of a sphere having the radius of 2 nm. These theoretical predictions were compared with PCS experimental measurements of the diffusion coefficient of the molecule, which allowed one to calculate its hydrodynamic radius R(H). It was found that R(H) varied between 6.6 nm for low ionic strength (pH = 9) and 5.8 nm for higher ionic strength (pH = 4). The R(H) values for pH = 9 were in a good agreement with theoretical predictions of particle shape, approximated by prolate spheroids, bent to various forms. On the other hand, a significant deviation from the theoretical shape predictions occurring at pH = 4 was interpreted in terms of the chain hydration effect neglected in simulations. To obtain additional shape information, the dynamic viscosity of polyelectrolyte solutions was measured using a capillary viscometer. It was found that, after considering the correction for hydration, the experimental results were in a good agreement with the Brenner's viscosity theory for prolate spheroid suspensions. The effective lengths derived from viscosity measurements using this theory were in good agreement with values predicted from the molecular dynamic simulations.

Effect of sequential layer-by-layer surface modifications on the surface energy of plasma-modified poly(dimethylsiloxane)

Surface-initiated grafting of N,N-dimethylacrylamide, styrenesulfonate (SS), and (ar-vinylbenzyl)trimethylammonium chloride (VBTAC) from microwave plasma carboxylated, initiator-functionalized poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surfaces was accomplished utilizing reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Surface spectroscopic attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FT-IR analysis and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements were utilized to determine surface grafting and morphological surface features. The VBTAC-grafted PDMS provided a smooth, hydrophilic cationic surface for creating layer-by-layer (LBL) surfaces via alternating deposition of well-defined poly(SS) and poly(VBTAC), also prepared via aqueous RAFT. Comparisons of the ATR FT-IR spectra of the LBL assemblies and those of respective anionic poly(SS) and cationic poly(VBTAC) components confirmed strong electrostatic complexation of a fraction of the sulfonate and quarternary ammonium species in the layers as well as the existence of noncomplexed species. AFM images of surface topology indicated the presence of domains, likely phase-separated segments of the respective homopolymers, as well as interlayer mixing. The employed LBL methodology results in formation of stable, highly hydrophilic surfaces on a PDMS substrate. To our knowledge, this is the first study that illustrates surface functionalization of PDMS using microwave plasma and RAFT polymerization, followed by LBL deposition of polyelectrolytes.

Spectral evolution with incremental nanocoating of long period fiber gratings

The incremental deposition of a thin overlay on the cladding of a long-period fiber grating (LPFG) induces important resonance wavelength shifts in the transmission spectrum. The phenomenon is proved theoretically with a vectorial method based on hybrid modes and coupled mode theory, and experimentally with electrostatic self-assembly monolayer process. The phenomenon is repeated periodically for specific overlay thickness values with the particularity that the shape of the resonance wavelength shift depends on the thickness of the overlay. The main applications are the design of wide optical filters and multiparameter sensing devices.

Water uptake behavior of hydrogen-bonded PVPON-PAA LBL film

Hydrogen-bonded films of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVPON) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were built on a silicon and quartz surface using the layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly technique. Upon incubation, PVPON and PAA chains in the film can attain high-level miscibility and the film becomes homogeneous and transparent. TGA and elemental analysis indicate that the water content of the incubated PVPON-PAA film is only ∼4%. FT-IR proved that at high temperature these water molecules can be easily driven out of the film. When the incubated film was characterized with a spectrometer, it exhibited Fabry-Pérot fringes in the UV-visible-NIR spectrum. Such Fabry-Pérot fringes, sensitive to the change of water content in the film, were applied to study drying, drying-rewetting cycle, and humidity-responsive behavior of the film. The film exhibited reversible swelling-deswelling behavior during the incubation-heating cycles. The film thickness was found to decrease ∼10% upon drying. When the dry film was exposed to different humidity environments, it was found that the optical thickness of the film has a linear relationship with ambient humidity.

Approaches to Quantifying and Visualizing Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Film Formation on Particles

Colloidal particles prepared by using the layer-by-layer technique are increasingly finding application in diagnostics, drug delivery, and sensing. Herein, we outline methods for applying three established techniques, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), flow cytometry, and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, to characterize ultrathin films of poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) assembled on silica particles. Both CLSM and flow cytometry require the use of fluorescently labeled polyelectrolytes (PEs). The film homogeneity can be assessed using CLSM, while flow cytometry allows analysis at unparalleled speed (thousands of particles per second) with unprecedented sensitivity (<0.5 fg of adsorbed polymer) of polydispersed particles of different size ( approximately 300 nm to tens of micrometers). Using CLSM and flow cytometry measurements, in conjunction with quartz crystal microgravimetry measurements on planar supports, allows quantification of PSS/PAH layer buildup on the particles. Furthermore, flow cytometry and DIC microscopy were used to unequivocally distinguish between silica-core PSS/PAH-shell particles and hollow PSS/PAH capsules obtained following core removal. The techniques outlined here are not limited to measuring PE deposition on solid particles but, in principle, are equally applicable to quantifying the adsorption of other materials (such as DNA, proteins, or nanoparticles) on a variety of particulate systems, including hollow capsules, emulsions, and cells.

Tunable single-walled carbon nanotube microstructure in the liquid and solid states using poly(acrylic acid)

Poly(acrylic acid) is shown to control the level of SWNT dispersion in aqueous mixtures and the state of dispersion in a solid composite. At low pH, PAA-stabilized suspensions containing 0.1 wt % SWNT have a waterlike viscosity, but this mixture thickens as the pH is raised. This behavior is reversed when pH is again lowered. Changing pH varies the SWNT microstructure between aggregated and well-exfoliated states, as evidenced by electron microscopy and electrical conductivity measurements.

Silver-particle-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy for biomolecular sensing and recognition

In this study, we demonstrate that 2-microm-sized Ag (microAg) powders can be used as a core material for constructing molecular sensing/recognition units operating via surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). This is possible because microAg powders are very efficient substrates for both the infrared and Raman-spectroscopic characterization of molecular adsorbates prepared in a similar manner on silver surfaces; we can obtain an infrared spectrum of organic molecules adsorbed on microAg particles with a very high signal-to-noise ratio by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT), and the Raman spectrum of organic monolayers on powdered silver is an SERS spectrum. The agglomeration of microAg particles in a highly concentrated buffer solution could be prevented by the layer-by-layer deposition of cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes such as poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). In fact, prior to depositing PAA and PAH, 4-aminobenzenethiol (4-ABT) was assembled on the surfaces of the microAg particles as SERS markers. Because of the presence of amine groups of 4-ABT, PAA could be readily deposited on the microAg particles. On the other hand, the outermost PAA layer could also be derivatized with biotin-derivatized poly(L-lysine). The nonspecific interaction of poly(L-lysine) with proteins could be suppressed by grafting poly(ethylene glycol) into the biotin-derivatized poly(L-lysine) molecules. On the basis of the nature of the SERS peaks of 4-ABT, it was confirmed that these biotinylated microAg powders were effective in selectively recognizing the streptavidin arrays. Because a number of different molecules can be used as SERS-marker molecules, such as probable 4-ABT, commercially available microAg powders must be a prospective material in molecular sensing/recognition, particularly via SERS.

Nanoporosity-driven superhydrophilicity: a means to create multifunctional antifogging coatings

Multifunctional nanoporous thin films have been fabricated from layer-by-layer assembled silica nanoparticles and a polycation. The resultant multilayer films were found to exhibit both antifogging and antireflection properties. The antifogging properties are a direct result of the development of superhydrophilic wetting characteristics (water droplet contact angle <5 degrees within 0.5 s or less). The nearly instantaneous sheetlike wetting promoted by the superhydrophilic multilayer prevents light scattering water droplets from forming on a surface. The low refractive index of the multilayer film (as low as 1.22) resulting from the presence of nanopores was found to impart excellent antireflection properties. Glass slides coated on both sides with a nanoporous multilayer film exhibited transmission levels as high as 99.8%. Stable superhydrophilic wetting characteristics were obtained only after a critical number of bilayers were deposited onto a surface. The assembly conditions (solution pH and nanoparticle concentration), as well as the choice of nanoparticle size, were found to strongly influence film properties. It is suggested that the superhydrophilic behavior is driven by the rapid infiltration of water into a 3D nanoporous network created under specific assembly conditions.

Compression-Inhibited Pore Formation of Polyelectrolyte Multilayers Containing Weak Polyanions: A Scanning Force Microscopy Study

Morphological changes of poly(acrylic acid)/poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) multilayers induced by low pH were investigated by scanning force microscopy. The weakened interaction between the charged polymer chains in the protonation process is believed to be the reason for this variation. Kinetic studies have shown that during protonation phase separation and dissociation of the multilayers took place successively. The compression of the multilayers, however, caused a transition of the multilayers from a rubbery state to a glassy state. As a result, the closely compacted multilayers lost their sensitivity to pH change. An increase of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, can decrease the free energy of the multilayers, and stabilize the films. By compression of the multilayers with a rubber stamp having geometric patterns, films with spatially localized pores were produced.

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.

Nanostructured modified electrodes: Role of ions and solvent flux in redox active polyelectrolyte multilayer films

Electrodes modified layer-by-layer by self-assembly of redox active polyelectrolytes comprised of osmium bipyridine-pyridine derivatized poly(allyl-amine) and poly(vinyl) sulfonate have been studied by EQCM, ellipsometry, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in aqueous solutions of different anions and cations. Redox driven swelling by solvent exchange during oxidation, in excess to the hydration number, occurs by perturbation of the equilibrium between the osmotic and elastic forces as a result of the electrochemical injection of charge into the film. The exchanged mass and volume change during redox switching strongly depends on the nature of the anion under anion Donnan permselectivity conditions.

Thermal Behavior of Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Microcapsules. 1. The Effect of Odd and Even Layer Number

The temperature-dependent behavior of hollow polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules consisting of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) with a different number of layers was investigated in aqueous media using confocal laser scanning microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and elemental analysis. Capsules with an even number of layers exhibited a pronounced shrinking at elevated temperature resulting in a transition to a dense sphere, whereas capsules with an odd number of layers swelled during heating to 5-fold of their initial size followed by their rupture. This effect increases for odd layer numbers and decreases for even layer numbers with increasing layer number. According to elemental analysis, an excess of PDADMAC monomers exists within the multilayers of capsules with an odd number of layers leading to a repulsion between the positive charges, whereas shells with an even number of layers have a balanced ratio between the oppositely charged polyions, so that the temperature-dependent behavior is controlled by the different interactions between polyelectrolytes and the bulk water. At a certain temperature, the polyelectrolyte material softens thus facilitating any rearrangement. Besides incubation temperature, the duration of heating has an influence on the restructuring of the multilayers.

Assembly of multilayer films from polyelectrolytes containing weak and strong acid moieties

Multilayer films were assembled from a copolymer containing both weakly and strongly charged pendant groups, poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid-co-maleic acid) (PSSMA), deposited in alternation with poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). The strongly charged groups (styrene sulfonate, SS) are expected to form electrostatic linkages (to enhance film stability), while the weakly charged groups (maleic acid, MA) can alter multilayer film properties because they are responsive to external pH changes. In this study, we varied several assembly conditions such as pH, SS/MA ratio in PSSMA, and the ionic strength of the polyelectrolyte solutions. The multilayer films were also treated by immersion into pH 2 and 11 solutions after assembly. Quartz crystal microgravimetry and UV-visible spectrophotometry showed that the thickness of PSSMA/PAH multilayers decreases with increasing assembly pH regardless of whether salt was present in the polyelectrolyte solutions. When no salt was added, the multilayers are thinner, smoother, and grow less regularly. Atomic force microscopy images indicate that the presence of salt in polyelectrolyte solutions results in rougher surface morphologies, and this effect is especially significant in multilayers assembled at pH 2 and pH 11. When both polyelectrolytes are adsorbed at conditions where they are highly charged, salt was necessary to promote regular multilayer growth. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies show that the carboxylic acids in the multilayers are essentially ionized when assembled from different pHs in 0.5 M sodium chloride solutions, whereas some carboxylic acids remain protonated in the multilayers assembled from solutions with no added salt. This resulted in different pH stability regimes when the multilayers were exposed to different pH solutions, post assembly.