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An innovative and robust method is described for the preparation of nanocomposite multilayers, which has allowed accurate control over the placement of functional groups as well as the composition and dimensions of individual layers/internal structure. This new method has opened a new way for designing functional film devices based on nanocomposite multilayers.

A novel and versatile approach is presented for preparing self-assembled nanoporous multilayered films with tunable optical properties. The method has highlighted the potential to incorporate a range of materials, ranging from conventional hydrophilic materials with specific interactions to hydrophobic compounds, into the assembled block copolymer micelles (BCMs) to yield multifunctional nanoporous films.

Thermally stable nanoporous organosilicate thin films were realized by the microphase separation of pore-generating polymers mixed with an organosilicate matrix to be antireflective coatings (ARCs), for which a thin film with a refractive index (n) of 1.23 for zero reflection is required. The refractive index of such nanoporous organosilicate films can be tuned from 1.39 down to 1.23 by incorporating nanopores within the films. With a nanoporous single layer with n∼ 1.23, the light transmittance of the glass above 99.8% was achieved in the visible range ( ∼ 550 nm). To overcome the limitation on the narrow wavelength for high transmittance imposed by a single antireflective nanoporous thin film, bilayer thin films with different refractive indices were prepared by placing a high refractive index layer with a refractive index of 1.45 below the nanoporous thin film. UV−vis transmittance of a glass coated with the bilayer films was compared with nanoporous single-layer films and it is demonstrated that the novel broadband antireflection coatings in a wide range of visible wavelength can be easily obtained by the organosilicate bilayer thin films described in this study. Also, ARCs developed in this study demonstrate excellent AR durability owing to the hydrophobic nature of the organosilicate matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports the formation of multilayer films comprising nanoblended layers of both weak and strong polyanions, alternately deposited with the polycation, poly-allylamine hydrochloride. This weak/strong polyectrolyte (PE) combination was chosen because of the recent interest generated by multilayer films containing weak PEs, which is largely attributed to their pH-dependent characteristics. The current work is significant because it demonstrates that nanoblended solutions comprising both weak and strong polyanions can be used to exert control over multilayer film properties, such as the film thickness, composition, morphology, and pH stability. Controlling these properties is important for many of the potential applications of PE multilayer films.