The formation of multilayer assemblies by succesive depositions of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes

Succesive additions of anionic and cationic polyelectrolytes or colloid par ticles may lead to the formation of multilayer assemblies which yield a fun ctional multilayer of polymers and colloids. The build-up of such multilaye rs is characterised by a step-wise increase of the adsorbed amount and laye r thickness, and by alternating highly positive and highly negative values for the zeta-potential of the substrate particles. The stability of the mul tilayer is shown to depend strongly on the ionic species and concentration of added salt, on the electrostatic interactions between polymers, and thes e between polymer and adsorbent surface. The formation of multilayers inclu ding solid particles was found to be rather sensitive to the particle size and monodispersity of the component particles.