Unprecedented control over the structure and dynamics of spread polyelectrolyte/surfactant films at the air/water interface

Polyelectrolyte/surfactant (P/S) adsorption layers have been studied for decades as a result of their many applications. Recently, we have exploited non-equilibrium effects to develop a methodology for forming trapped films by Marangoni spreading of P/S aggregates at the air/water interface. Indeed, we can now tune the formation of extended structures upon film compression by changing the aggregates used. This proposal has two objectives. First, to reveal for the first time the nature of tuneable extended structures in films at very high compression ratios in terms of changing area coverage, thickness and/or number of layers. Second, to resolve the structures formed as gold nanoparticles nucleate transport of material from extended structures to the surface monolayer during surface area dynamics. The aim is to gain novel and superior control over the dynamic 3D topography of P/S films.聚电解质/表面活性剂（Polyelectrolyte/Surfactant，以下简称P/S）吸附层因具备诸多应用价值，已被研究数十年。近期，我们利用非平衡效应，开发出一种通过P/S聚集体在气/水界面处的马兰戈尼（Marangoni）铺展来制备受限薄膜的方法。诚然，如今我们可通过调整所用聚集体的种类，调控薄膜受压过程中延伸结构（extended structures）的形成过程。本研究包含两项核心目标：其一，首次揭示极高压缩比条件下薄膜内可调控延伸结构的本质，此类结构可通过改变面积覆盖率、厚度及/或层数实现特性调控；其二，阐明在表面面积动态变化过程中，金纳米粒子（gold nanoparticles）成核并介导材料从延伸结构向表面单分子层（surface monolayer）转移时所形成的结构。本研究的最终目标是实现对P/S薄膜动态三维形貌（3D topography）的全新且更优异的调控能力。