Novel Photoactive Polymeric Multilayer Films Formed via Electrostatic Self‐Assembly

Summary: We demonstrate a novel approach for constructing photoactive multilayer films in which the aggregation of fluorescing molecules is effectively eliminated. In the films formed via a layer‐by‐layer electrostatic self‐assembly technique, the core‐shell amphiphilic copolymer, poly[(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate)‐ block ‐vinylnaphthalene], was deposited. The isolated cores served as nanosized host sites for photoactive guest molecules (pyrene, perylene). The efficient energy transfer between polymeric chromophores and perylene molecules was observed.AFM image of a nanostructured polymeric film prepared via a layer‐by‐layer technique and containing photoactive block copolymer poly[(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate)‐ block ‐vinylnaphthalene]. Below is the representative height profile taken along the drawn line.