Mussel-inspired polyelectrolyte multilayer for reinforcing the interfacial mechanical stability of plasmonic microstructures

Abstract In this paper, mussel-inspired polyelectrolyte was prepared through grafting catechol-contained molecules onto the backbone of the polyelectrolyte, and then introduced between the plasmonic microstructures and substrates to reinforce the mechanical stability of the microstructures. The plasmonic microstructures with mussel-inspired adhesive multilayers show greatly improved mechanical stability against both rubbing and ultrasonic treatment without significant alteration of the original morphology and optical property. Additionally, label-free sensing could also be achieved with reasonable sensitivity. We believe that such stabilizing strategy based on mussel-inspired polyelectrolyte will show great potential towards practical applications of plasmonic microstructures, even in the presence of water or body fluid.