CO-ASSEMBLY METHOD AND CO-ASSEMBLED STRUCTURES MADE THEREBY

摘要

A co-assembly method includes, in an aqueous polyelectrolyte compositioncomprising: (a) a first polyelectrolytedispersed in the composition and having a net electric charge of a firstpolarity, (b)a second polyelectrolyte dispersed in the compositionand having a net electric charge of a second polarity, wherein the secondpolarity is opposite the first polarity, and (c)anelectrolyte dissolved in the composition in a concentration effective toprevent co-assembly of the polyelectrolytes, the step ofallowing co- assembly of the polyelectrolytes by: (1) decreasing theconcentration of the electrolyte, or (2) forming an interfacebetween the aqueous polyelectrolyte composition and a surface of a solidsubstrate or of a second liquid phase, wherein the surfacehas an affinity for at least one of the polyelectrolytes, or (3) decreasingthe concentration of the electrolyte and forming such aninterface.