Spray-Assisted Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Buildup: from Step-by-Step to Single-Step Polyelectrolyte Film Constructions

The alternate deposition of polyanions and polycations on a solid substrate leads to the formation of nanometer to micrometer films called Polyelectrolyte Multilayers. This step-by-step construction of organic films constitutes a method of choice to functionalize surfaces with applications ranging from optical to bioactive coatings. The method was originally developed by dipping the substrate in the different polyelectrolyte solutions. Recent advances show that spraying the polyelectrolyte solutions onto the substrate represents an appealing alternative to dipping because it is much faster and easier to adapt at an industrial level. Multilayer deposition by spraying is thus greatly gaining in interest. Here we review the current literature on this deposition method. After a brief history of polyelectrolyte multilayers to place the spraying method in its context, we review the fundamental issues that have been addresses so far. We then give an overview the different fields where the method has been applied.     

Polyelectrolyte brush amplified electroactuation of microcantilevers

This paper describes the electroactuation of microcantilevers coated on one side with cationic polyelectrolyte brushes. We observed very strong cantilever deflection by alternating the potential on the cantilever between +0.5 and -0.5 V at frequencies up to 0.25 Hz. The actuation resulted from significant increases in the expansive stresses in the polymer brush layer at both negative and positive potentials. However, the deflection at negative bias was significantly larger. We have developed a theoretical framework that correlates conformational changes of the polymer chains in the brush layer with the reorganization of ions due to the potential bias. The model predicts a strong increase in the polymer volume fraction, close to the interface, which results in large expansive stresses that bend the cantilever at negative potentials. The model also predicts that the actuation responds much stronger to negative potentials than positive potentials, as observed in the experiments.     

Saloplastics: Processing Compact Polyelectrolyte Complexes

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) are prepared by mixing solutions of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes. These diffuse, amorphous precipitates may be compacted into dense materials, CoPECs, by ultracentrifugation (ucPECs) or extrusion (exPECs). The presence of salt water is essential in plasticizing PECs to allow them to be reformed and fused. When hydrated, CoPECs are versatile, rugged, biocompatible, elastic materials with applications including bioinspired materials, supports for enzymes and (nano)composites. In this review, various methods for making CoPECs are described, as well as fundamental responses of CoPEC mechanical properties to salt concentration. Possible applications as synthetic cartilage, enzymatically active biocomposites, self‐healing materials, and magnetic nanocomposites are presented.     

带有聚电解质刷的助留助滤剂

论述了合成有机聚合物类助留助滤剂的研究进展,介绍了带有聚电解质刷的助留助滤剂在造纸上的运用及其作用机理.以聚丙烯酰胺类助留助滤剂为例,研究了此类树枝形聚合物聚合的机理.     

Polyelectrolyte multilayer films containing silver as antibacterial coatings

A facile approach to fabrication of transparent antimicrobial coatings based on polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) is presented. Counterions existing in PEMs were utilized via ion exchange and in situ reduction to incorporate into the films silver ions and nanoparticles, and the antibacterial efficacy of the films against E. coli was assessed by the Kirby-Bauer method. The PEMs containing silver in the ionic form exhibited high activities in short terms, and the antibacterial effects depended on the ionic strength in the polyelectrolyte solutions used for the PEM fabrication. The PEMs loaded with silver nanoparticles showed lower initial bactericidal effects, but remained active after long periods of time, and the antimicrobial performance can be improved by increasing the silver loading through repeating the ion-exchange/reduction cycle for multiple times. The films were transparent in the visible region. Coatings containing multiple antimicrobial agents for possible synergistic effects can be fabricated in a single process using this method.     

聚电解质材料——(Ⅰ)复合体系溶液中相互作用的研究进展

聚电解质材料兼有高分子长链和小分子电解质电离的双重结构特征。文中在介绍溶液中聚电解质与小分子盐、表面活性剂以及带相反电荷聚电解质相互作用的基础上,讨论溶液中聚电解质复合体系相互作用的主要影响因素,以期为聚电解质的实际应用和理论研究提供参考。     

聚电解质的制备与应用研究进展

文中综述了聚电解质的合成及应用研究进展,探讨了聚电解质制备过程中的影响因素。此外还着重介绍了聚电解质-表面活性剂复合物、层层自组装膜、聚电解质微纳胶囊在药物缓释以及聚电解质在改善纳米材料的制备及性能方面上的应用研究进展。如何开发特定结构的聚电解质,利用聚电解质对外界环境的刺激实现对聚电解质形态结构的实时和有效控制是聚电解质科研领域研究的重点方向。