RSC Publishing


Publishing

 

Cover image for Chemical Society Reviews, select for current issue

Chemical Society Reviews

The home of high impact reviews from across the chemical sciences.




Tutorial Review

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2007, 36, 707 - 718, DOI: 10.1039/b610778h


Next generation, sequentially assembled ultrathin films: beyond electrostatics

John F. Quinn, Angus P. R. Johnston, Georgina K. Such, Alexander N. Zelikin and Frank Caruso


Over the last 15 years, the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technology has proven to be a versatile method for surface modification. This approach is likely to find widespread application because of its simplicity and versatility; however, the conventional use of highly charged materials with limited responsive behaviour presents some key limitations. In this tutorial review, the formation of multilayer thin films prepared through non-electrostatic interactions is reviewed. We discuss the assembly of films via a number of different methodologies, with particular emphasis on those that provide enhanced orientational control, stimuli-responsive behaviour, and improved film stability.

Graphical abstract image for this article  (ID: b610778h)