In situ Investigation on Layer-by-Layer Deposition of Polyelectrolytes by Quartz Crystal Microbalance

The effect of salt concentration on layer-by-layer deposition of poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) (PSSS)/poly(vinylbenzyl trimethylammonium chloride) (PVTC) was investigated by use of quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). The changes in frequency and dissipation demonstrate that the addition of NaCl leads the thickness of PSSS/PVTC multilayer to increase. The deposition of PSSS/PVTC is dominated by surface charge overcompensation level at lower salt concentrations. However, it is mainly determined by the interpenetration of polyelectrolytes at a higher salt concentration, as reflected in the oscillation of dissipation change.