(193at) Self-Healable Polyelectrolytes Multilayer Films through a Layer-By-Layer Assembly

Self-healable materials can greatly enhance reliability and lifetime of materials used in various applications. Recently, it was reported that some polyelectrolyte multilayer films can self-heal their mechanical damages when water is added. Our research aims are to create these self-healable multilayer films using a layer-by-layer assembly and study the effect of assembly parameters such as solution pH and salts, as well as integrating electrical conductivity into these self-healable films. We have built up three different films using strongly charged polyelectrolytes and weakly charged polyelectrolytes: polyethylenimine/poly(acrylic acid), poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride)/ poly(acrylic acid), and polyethylenimine/poly(styrenesulfonate). The thicknesses of the films were measured using profilometry, and optical microscopy was used to evaluate their self-healing capability. It was shown that the weak-weak polyelectrolyte pair, polyethylenimine/poly(acrylic acid), exhibits most efficient self-healing capability. We are currently investigating the usage of reduced graphene oxide to add conductive properties to the films, by means of including graphene oxide in the layer-by-layer assembly process, alongside polyethylimine and poly(acrylic acid).