Preparation of Highly Loaded PAA/PAH Layer-by-layer Films by Combining Acid Transformation and Templating Methods

Enhancing the molecular loading capability of layer-by-layer(LbL) method holds high importance in environmental and biomedical application. Here, we reported a strategy to prepare highly loaded poly(acrylic acid)(PAA)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride)(PAH) LbL films by combining the particulate templating strategy and acid treatment film transformation and realized the efficient loading of hydrophilic small molecules. The loaded molecules can be released in a pH-controlled manner. A slow release speed was observed in the acidic solutions with pH value of 3. Abrupt releases were observed at higher pH values(5 or 7).