Laterally Confined Polyelectrolyte Multi-Layers

Meirav Oded, The Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem , Israel
Axel H. E. Müller, Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Mainz, Mainz , Germany
Roy Shenhar, The Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem , Israel


In the last two decades, layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition has emerged as a cost-effective, versatile approach for the fabrication of polyelectrolyte coatings with alternating layers, with applications ranging from catalysis, separation, and synthesis, through electrochemical and optical devices, to drug delivery and sensing. The depth-wise structure of such films was extensively studied, and the applicability of this technique to various types of surface geometries, including convex and concave substrates, was also demonstrated. However, the subject of LbL assembly of alternating layers under lateral confinement remains largely unexplored.

Here, we present an approach that enables the deposition of polyelectrolyte multilayers under nanoscale confinement. By utilizing microphase separated films of polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (PS-b-P2VP), in which the pyridine groups were alkylated to render a constant positive charge, we were able to demonstrate polyelectrolyte multi-layer deposition into confined periodic patterns, such as dots and stripes.

This simple, bottom-up strategy extends the applicability of the LbL method toward nano-structured coatings. It is anticipated that this approach will enable various applications that require laterally inhomogeneous and periodic structures, as well as improve the performance of other applications that require high surface area and high roughness.