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

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.