Layer-by-Layer polyelectrolytes assembly

Dr. Daria Andreeva, currently a docent at the Department of Physical Chemistry II of the University of Bayreuth, is visiting the Surface Engineering and Corrosion Protection (SECoP) research group of the University of Aveiro in the frame of the project SMARCOAT. Dr. Andreeva is a former UNESCO (1999) and Alexander-von-Humboldt (2003) fellow, whose research interests range from gas separation using polymer membranes, synthesis of controlled release/upload polyelectrolyte containers and design of novel anticorrosion coatings, to sonochemical approaches for metal and metal/polymer processing.

Last Friday (06-11-2015) the Department of Materials and Ceramic Engineering (DEMaC) hosted her presentation entitled “Layer-by-Layer polyelectrolytes assembly”. The focus of the presentation was on the driving forces and mechanisms of multilayer self-assembly of polyelectrolytes. Dr. Andreeva also introduced several features of these multilayers, such as pH buffering, regeneration activity by changing ionic strength and their ability to form stimuli responsive capsules. Some of the subjects presented by Dr. Andreeva were recently covered in the review entitled “Self-healing properties of layer-by-layer assembled multilayers” co-authored with Dr. Ekaterina Skorb, which is also visiting the University of Aveiro and was present in the audience.

The presentation was of great interest to the SECoP research group, which has recently applied the layer-by-layer methodology in the synthesis of polyelectrolyte-modified layered double hydroxides capable of releasing inhibitors of different character simultaneously. Dr. Daria Andreeva ended the presentation discussing the core concept of layer-by-layer self-assembly with Dr. Andrei Salak, the dynamic stability of the multilayers with Dr. João Tedim and showing the audience the future challenges laying ahead.