Physical Chemistry of Polyelectrolyte Multilayers in the Colloidal Domain

Abstract

The assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayers on colloidal particles by means of the layer-by-layer technique and capsule fabrication after core removal has led to very interesting and comprehensive physicochemical studies. The use of colloidal templates to study the properties of polyelectrolyte multilayers has allowed for the use of experimental techniques that could not be applied to planar polyelectrolyte multilayers, like Flowcytometry, Electrorotation, and Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy. In this chapter, we present studies on the assembly of polyelectrolyte multilayers on colloids, how to trace the multilayer layer growth and thickness, and how the removal of the particle core affects the multilayer properties. We also show the characterization of the permeability, electrical, and mechanical properties of polyelectrolyte multilayers.