Fabrication and electrochemical investigation of layer-by-layer deposited titanium phosphate/Prussian blue composite films

Layer-by-Layer Naphthalenediimide/Zn Phosphonate Hybrid Films Grown from Aqueous Solutions by a Simple Deposition Technique

Hybrid thin films containing N,N'-bis(2-phosphonoethyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthalenediimide (PNDI) and zinc cations (PNDI/Zn films) were built on silicon and indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates by a simple layer-by-layer deposition process. Silicon substrates primed with a layer of phosphonate groups were immersed alternately into zinc nitrate and PNDI aqueous solutions, yielding PNDI/Zn films containing up to 40 layers. ITO substrates, on the other hand, were used without priming, and the deposition sequence began with a PNDI layer. All film growth steps were conducted at room temperature, using aqueous solutions, thus assuring an environmentally clean process. The PNDI/Zn films were studied by X-ray reflectivity and grazing angle X-ray diffraction, using synchrotron radiation source. The films were constituted by crystallites, containing zinc phosphonate layers oriented nearly parallel to the substrate. PNDI/Zn films on ITO were reduced to stable free radicals, which were observed by UV-visible spectroscopy. Moreover, PNDI/Zn bulk materials with structural analogy with the films were produced.

Enzymeless electrochemical determination of hydrogen peroxide at a heteropolyanion-based composite film electrode

For the first time, a sensitive and efficient composite film of [PB/WV–Pt@Pd]₆was constructed for H₂O₂detection.

Magnetic moment assisted layer-by-layer film formation of a Prussian Blue analog

We formed magnetic moment assisted layer-by-layer (LbL) films of a Prussian Blue analogue (PB). We applied an external magnetic field to each monolayer of PB to orient the magnetic moment of the compound perpendicular to the substrate. Aligned moments or orientation of the magnetic compounds themselves were immobilized in each monolayer, so that the moments could augment formation of the subsequent monolayers of LbL adsorption process. We hence could form multilayered LbL films of PB molecules with their magnetic moments oriented perpendicular to the substrate. We also formed LbL films of the compound with their moments oriented parallel to the substrate and facing one particular direction. We have measured conductivity and dielectric constant of the two types of films and compared the parameters with that of conventional LbL films deposited without orienting magnetic moments of the molecules.

Tunable synthesis of Prussian Blue in exponentially growing polyelectrolyte multilayer films

Polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films have become very popular for surface functionalization and the design of functional architectures such as hollow polyelectrolyte capsules. It is known that properties such as permeability to small ionic solutes are strongly dependent on the buildup regime of the PEM films. This permeability can be modified by tuning the ionization degree of the polycations or polyanions, provided the film is made from weak polyelectrolytes. In most previous investigations, this was achieved by playing on the solution pH either during the film buildup or by a postbuildup pH modification. Herein we investigate the functionalization of poly(allylamine hydrochloride)/poly(glutamic acid) (PAH/PGA) multilayers by ferrocyanide and Prussian Blue (PB). We demonstrate that dynamic exchange processes between the film and polyelectrolyte solutions containing one of the component polyelectrolyte allow one to modify its Donnan potential and, as a consequence, the amount of ferrocyanide anions able to be retained in the PAH/PGA film. This ability of the film to be a tunable reservoir of ferrocyanide anions is then used to produce a composite film containing PB particles obtained by a single precipitation reaction with a solution containing Fe(3+) cations in contact with the film. The presence of PB in the PEM films then provides magnetic as well as electrochemical properties to the whole architecture.

Incorporation of water-soluble and water-insoluble ruthenium complexes into zirconium phosphate films fabricated by the layer-by-layer adsorption and reaction method

Water-soluble tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complex (Rubpy) and water-insoluble tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) complex (Rudpp) were successfully incorporated into zirconium phosphate (ZrPS) films fabricated by a facile layer-by-layer (LbL) adsorption and reaction method. Rubpy-incorporated ZrPS films were fabricated by the LbL adsorption and reaction method employing a mixture solution of Rubpy and phosphate salt. Rubpy was incorporated into ZrPS films during the formation of ZrPS layers because of the electrostatic interaction between them. Rudpp was dissolved in the mixture solution of aqueous phosphate salt and ethanol and was incorporated into ZrPS films through the formation of ethanol preintercalated ZrPS layers. The successful incorporation of Rubpy and Rudpp into ZrPS films was confirmed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Rubpy and Rudpp have concentrations of 0.915 x 10 (14) and 3.23 x 10 (14) molecules/cm (2) in each ZrPS layer, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy measurements indicate that the as-prepared Rubpy-incorporated ZrPS films are smooth while the as-prepared Rudpp-incorporated ZrPS films are porous. The porous Rudpp-incorporated ZrPS films are suitable to use as oxygen sensors because the luminescence of Rudpp incorporated into the ZrPS films can be quenched by oxygen and the porous film structure facilitates the permeation of oxygen into and out of the film.