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Layer‐by‐Layer Assembly of Light‐Responsive Polymeric Multilayer Systems
Author(s) -
Borges João,
Rodrigues Luísa C.,
Reis Rui L.,
Mano João F.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201401050
Subject(s) - nanotechnology , materials science , layer by layer , fabrication , layer (electronics) , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Layer‐by‐Layer (LbL) assembly is a simple and highly versatile method to modify surfaces and fabricate robust and highly‐ordered nanostructured coatings over almost any type of substrate. Such versatility enables the incorporation of a plethora of building blocks, including materials exhibiting switchable properties, in a single device through a multitude of complementary intermolecular interactions. Switchable materials may undergo reversible physicochemical changes in response to a variety of external triggers. Although most of the works in the literature have been focusing on stimuli‐responsive materials that are sensitive to common triggers such as pH, ionic strength, or temperature, much less has been discussed on LbL systems which are sensitive to non‐invasive and easily controlled light stimulus, despite its unique potential. This review provides a deep overview of the recent progresses achieved in the design and fabrication of light‐responsive LbL polymeric multilayer systems, their potential future challenges and opportunities, and possible applications. Many examples are given on light‐responsive polymeric multilayer assemblies built from metal nanoparticles, functional dyes, and metal oxides. Such stimuli‐responsive functional materials, and combinations among them, may lead to novel and highly promising nanostructured smart functional systems well‐suited for a wide range of research fields, including biomedicine and biotechnology.