Work

Influence of polymer architecture, ionization, and salt annealing on the stiffness of weak polyelectrolyte multilayers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: , assembled at neutral and slightly alkaline conditions). Specifically, while all-star films demonstrated relatively high, thickness-independent Young's moduli, the stiffness of all-linear PEM films strongly decreased with film thickness, reflecting the overall weakening of the network of ionic connections. Finally, we show that the ductility of all-star films was more affected by salt annealing than all-linear films, which agrees with previous reports of faster salt-induced diffusion of polyelectrolytes in PEM films composed of star polymers.

Source: Soft Matter

DOI: 10.1039/d5sm00298b

Authors: Jordan Brito, Annie Luse, Aliaksei Aliakseyeu, Svetlana A. Sukhishvili

Institution: Texas A&M University

Language: English

Topic: Polymer Surface Interaction Studies

Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Science Foundation, Division of Materials Research

Awards: Star-Shaped and Linear Polymers in Temperature-Responsive Layer-by-Layer Assemblies, G5440203985, G7990884993