Layer-By-Layer assembled thin films of inorganic nanomaterials: fabrication and photo-electrochemical properties

Abstract

The sequential Layer-By-Layer (LBL) self-assembly technique is one of the most promising methods for thin film fabrication. Initially demonstrated by multilayer assemblies using polyelectrolytes, this elegant concept of precisely controlling composition, thickness and architecture of the thin films has been rapidly extended to a diverse array of functional materials including low-dimensional inorganic nanomaterials. This review first introduces some fundamental aspects of the LBL assembly technique; followed by representative examples of the LBL assembled multilayer thin films containing nanostructured materials as building blocks. The photochemical and electrochemical properties of such fabricated thin films were briefly reviewed in the second part.