The Layer-by-Layer Self-assembly Under Agitation

Layer-by-layer self-assembly is a method of assembling multilayer films based on the intermolecular forces, which has been relatively mature. This technique is widely used due to its simplicity, low-cost, variety of assembly materials, no limit to the shape and size of the substrates. As is known, the fabrication of thick LbL films has attracted more attention because of its advantages including exceptional mechanical properties, high loading capacity for guest molecules, and highly textured surface with superhydrophobicity. Nevertheless, the fabrication by conventional LbL method is very time-consuming, as one layer would take about20minutes, this is a solid restriction to the further exploration and development of thick LbL films. According to this question, some methods have been presented, which yet lose the advantages of conventional layer-by-layer assembly to some extent. In this study, we add agitation into LbL method to shorten the assembly and rinsing time effectively, which is called agitate-dipping layer-by-layer assembly (AD LbL) in this article. This procedure is as following:Firstly, PSS/PAH films were fabricated using AD LbL in this article, and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRR and AFM. Secondly, AD LbL and conventional LbL were compared to demonstrate the feasibility of the former. Thirdly, in order to find out the effect of agitation in different stages, the agitation was respectively added in the assembly and rinsing stages, comparatively study the surface, thickness and interstructure of the AD LbL...