Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) are prepared by layer-by-layer deposition of polycations and polyaions on gold substrate. We have previously observed that surface roughness, as measured by contact mode atomic force microscopy (AFM), is highly dependent on the chemistry as well as the deposition conditions of the first adsorbed layer of a PEM. In this study, QCM-D was used to analyze mass absorption of each single layer during deposition process. When using different polyelectrolytes as the first layer, total mass accumulation of the PEM coating is different, while the mass adsorption of each single layer also changed. Thickness of PEM film also changed after change first layer material. Atomic force microscope was used to measure the surface roughness of PEMs. When using different polyelectrolytes as the first layer, the surface roughness of PEMs is different. These results imply that the first layer has an impact on polyelectrolyte adsorption in long range, while the internal structure of PEM is also affected.

Effect of the first layer on polyelectrolyte multilayer structure

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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