Stabilization and functionalization of polymer multilayers and capsules via thiol-ene click chemistry

A generalized, dual stabilization and fictionalization, metal catalyst-free approach in preparation of stable LbL multilayers and capsules by light initiated thiol-ene click chemistry was reported. PMA (polymethyl methacrylate) was functionalized with thiol or ene moieties using carbodiimide coupling protocols. The stability of the multilayer was examined by immersion of the particles into pH 7 solution. LbL assembly was performed by alternately exposing the substrates of silica particles or gold electrodes to solutions of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and the functionalized PMA polymers. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed the formation of PVP/PMA multilayer on the particles after exposure to UV light. Thiol-ene based chemistry offers significant advantages for the stabilization and fictionalization of polymer capsules. The chemistry is versatile and has been used for a range of applications, including polymer fictionalization, dendrimer synthesis, nanoimprinting, and patterning.