Covalent layer-by-layer assembly using aminated MWNTs and silica nanoparticles

POLY 91

Kang-Shyang Liao, ksliao@tamu.edu and David Bergbreiter, bergbreiter@tamu.edu. Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, P.O. Box 30012, College Station, TX 77842-3012
Layer-by-layer assembly, formerly called electrostatic self-assembly, is a method used to impart functionality to the surface of nearly any type of substrate. Thin films are deposited by alternately exposing a substrate to aqueous mixtures or solutions of mutually attractive molecules or particles. In most cases the attraction between species is provided by charge and each combination of a positively and negatively charged layer is referred to as a “bilayer”. Covalent layer-by-layer assembly, which is carried out in a similar fashion, emphasizes the combination between bilayers through covalent bondings. In here, polyvalent surface modification of polyethylene film and powder samples by covalent layer-by-layer assembly will be discussed. Applications of the produced thin film composites on PE substrates using aminated MWNTs and silica nanoparticles in the design of conductive materials or scratch-resistant materials will also be discussed.