title: Preparation of ultrathin self-standing polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes at physiological conditions using pH-responsive film segments as sacrificial layers.
abstract: A new system to obtain ultrathin self-standing polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes at physiological conditions is introduced. On the surface of a substrate, a hybrid film structure composed of two compartments, (1) a pH-responsive film segment formed via hydrogen bonds and (2) a polyelectrolyte multilayer film on top of 1, was assembled. The pH-responsive polymer multilayer segments disintegrate at a neutral pH and release self-standing polyelectrolyte multilayer films. The obtained self-supporting polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes had thicknesses of 55 to several hundred nanometers and areas of a few square centimeters, approximately. The preparation method introduced here avoids harsh release conditions and thus broadens the choice of materials that can be incorporated into the self-standing film.
authors.affiliation: Institut Charles Sadron, 6, Boussingault, F-67083, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Shoko Sugiyama
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.forename: Gero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Decher
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004573:Electrolytes; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008422:Materials Testing; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004573:Electrolytes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C006903:carbopol 940