We discuss principles of construction of layered, responsive, all-polymer or polymer nanocomposite materials using a layer-by-layer (LbL) approach. With all-polymer films assembled electrostatically, we first explore polymer chain dynamics and its relationship to film structure. A combination of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and neutron reflectometry (NR) to probe chain diffusion in directions parallel and perpendicular to the substrate, respectively, reveals that at increased salt concentration, polyelectrolyte chains move orders of magnitude faster in the direction parallel to the substrate. Solution pH, salt concentration and polyelectrolyte type strongly affect mobility of polyelectrolyte chains within LbL films and the degree of film layering. We then introduce assembly of responsive, layered nanoparticle-polymer films. Such materials demonstrate light-triggered, strata-specific shrinkage at resonant excitation wavelengths, enabled by precise localization of brush-decorated gold nanostructures within LbL films. We discuss potential applications and future development of responsive polymer-nanoparticle LbL assemblies.

Layering polymers and nanoparticles at surfaces: Towards spatially organized, responsive assemblies

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.