Electrostatic Self-assembly of Metal and Semiconductor Nanoparticles in Polyelectrolytes: Assembly Dynamics, and Electrochemical Behavior

The electrostatic self-assembly of hetero-nanostructured multilayers of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles in polyelectrolytes, the self-assembly dynamics, and electrochemistry at the assembled films is reported. Polyacrylate-capped Pt ( =2.5 ± 0.6 nm) and Q-CdS nanoparticles ( =3.6 ± 0.5 nm) were assembled in poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride). The nanoparticle assembly dynamics is shown to be a function of the nanoparticle solution ionic strength and its composition. Electrochemical studies at Pt nanoparticles in PDDA reveal that charge hopping is feasible through the nanocomposite film, and that the catalytic activity of the nanoparticles is retained in the assembled structures.