Thermally Induced Charge Reversal of Layer-by-Layer Assembled Single-Component Polymer Films

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b00472
• Publication Date: 2016-03-08T17:10:46Z
• Authors: Joseph J. Richardson; Blaise L. Tardy; Hirotaka Ejima; Junling Guo; Jiwei Cui; Kang Liang; Gwan H. Choi; Pil J. Yoo; Bruno G. De Geest; Frank Caruso
• Keywords: Allylamine; Layer by layer; Cationic polymerization; Surface charge; Biofouling; Deposition

Temperature can be harnessed to engineer unique properties for materials useful in various contexts and has been shown affect the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of polymer thin films cause physical changes preassembled films. Herein we demonstrate that exposure relatively low temperatures (≤ 100 °C) induce physicochemical cationic The surface charge containing primary secondary amines reverses after heating (from positive negative), different characterization techniques are used show change is related oxidation specifically occurs film state. This reversal allows single-polymer LbL performed with poly(allylamine) hydrochloride (PAH) through alternating heat/deposition steps. Furthermore, negative induced by reduces fouling cell-association PAH-coated planar particulate substrates, respectively. study highlights a property which relevant biofouling interest future development biomedical systems.