Understanding properties of polyelectrolytes gives control over responsive polymer microstructures
Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 09:02
in Physics & Chemistry
Polymer films that undergo nanoscale structural transformations in response to external stimuli are key components of devices like biosensors and artificial membranes. One of the best materials for manufacturing such responsive materials is polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) polymer chains bearing charged units that can assemble layer-by-layer onto solid surfaces. Maxim Kiryukhin at the A*STAR Institute of Materials Research and Engineering and co-workers1 have now gained new insights into PEM growth which may enable construction of three-dimensional microstructures for on-demand drug delivery.