Ion-modulated flow behavior of layer-by-layer fabricated polymer thin films

Abstract

Flow behavior of polyelectrolyte thin films plays an important role in the fabrication of functional nanomaterials. Therefore, modulation of the flow behavior of polymer thin films becomes a challenge. Here we report that ions could facilely tune the flow behavior of polymer thin films. A “high flow” behavior of polymer thin films assembled in Cl-ion solutions is clearly observed under a wet mold, while such thin films assembled in Br-ion solutions exhibit nearly frozen behavior when they are in contact with a wet mold.