Ion distribution in multilayers of weak polyelectrolytes: A neutron reflectometry study
Citation
Tanchak, O.M.; Yager, K.G.; Fritzsche, H.; Harroun, T.; Katsaras, J.; Barrett, C.J. "Ion distribution in multilayers of weak polyelectrolytes: A neutron reflectometry study"
Journal of Chemical Physics 2008,
129 084901.
doi: 10.1063/1.2943201Summary
As a follow-up to our previous study on water localization in polyelectrolyte multilayers, we studied the localization of salt in similar thin films. We used neutron reflectivity measurements to probe the distribution of counterions within the thin films, showing that ions distribute non-uniformly.
Abstract
Neutron reflectometry was used to determine the distribution of salt ions and water in thin poly(acrylic acid) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) polyelectrolyte multilayers assembled with and without salt. Increasing salt concentration reverses the exclusion of water from the substrate region, eventually leading to an asymmetric segregation of water near the substrate at high salt concentration. The counterions were found to localize near the substrate in films that were either assembled with salt or were exposed to salt solutions. In addition, the capping layer of the film was found to greatly influence the counterion distribution in the multilayer.
