Fabrication of layer-by-layer films of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes

Layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly method was used to fabricate siliceous ultrathin films by using polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes as building blocks. Ammonium salt of octasilsesquioxane acid (OSi8) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) were alternately assembled onto CaF2 slide to form nanocomposite multilayers. Linear build-up of the LBL films was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy. IR spectrum suggests existence of OSi8 and PDDA in the LBL films. Atomic force microscopic surface topography of the LBL films indicates the OSi8 covers the entire surface of the topmost layer and shows a granular morphology.