Role of Substrate Type in the Process of Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Formation

Polyelectrolyte multilayers are coatings formed by the alternate deposition of polycations and polyanions on a charged surface. In this study we examined how the type of substrate affects a multilayer prepared from poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(acrylic acid). Silicon and titanium wafers we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymers 2022-06, Vol.14 (13), p.2566
Main Authors: Mesić, Mia, Klačić, Tin, Abram, Anže, Bohinc, Klemen, Kovačević, Davor
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acids
Adsorption
Atomic force microscopy
Ellipsometry
Hydrophobicity
Influence
Metal oxides
Microscopy
Morphology
Multilayers
Polyacrylic acid
Polyelectrolytes
Porous materials
Silicon
Silicon wafers
Streaming potential
Substrates
Surface roughness
Thickness
Titanium
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Summary:Polyelectrolyte multilayers are coatings formed by the alternate deposition of polycations and polyanions on a charged surface. In this study we examined how the type of substrate affects a multilayer prepared from poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(acrylic acid). Silicon and titanium wafers were used as substrates. Their properties were systematically studied using ellipsometry, tensiometry, atomic force microscopy and streaming potential measurements. Multilayers were built up at pH = 7 with tetramethylammonium chloride as the background salt. The growth of films was monitored by ellipsometry, while the morphology and surface roughness were determined by atomic force microscopy. It was found that the thickness of multilayers containing 10 layers on silicon is 10 nm, whereas the thickness of the same film on titanium is three times higher. It was shown that multilayers formed on silicon display a grain-like structure, which was not the case for a film formed on titanium. Such morphological properties are also reflected in the surface roughness. Finally, it was shown that, in addition to the electrostatic interactions, the hydrophobicity of the substrate also plays an important role in the polyelectrolyte multilayer formation process and influences its thickness and properties.
ISSN:2073-4360
2073-4360
DOI:10.3390/polym14132566