Versatile Electrostatic Assembly of Nanoparticles & Polyelectrolytes: Coating, Clustering and Layer-by-Layer Processes

TL;DR

This review discusses recent electrostatic assembly techniques for nanoparticles and polyelectrolytes, focusing on coating, clustering, and layer-by-layer processes to enhance functionalities in nanotechnology and nanomedicine.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive survey of recent strategies and methods for electrostatic assembly of nanoparticles with polyelectrolytes, highlighting new synthesis, coating, and clustering approaches.

Findings

Identification of three main assembly routes: direct mixing, desalting transition, layer-by-layer.

Advancements in stable, functionalized nanoparticle synthesis.

Applications in materials science and nanomedicine.

Abstract

Engineered nanoparticles made from noble metals, rare-earth oxides or semiconductors are emerging as the central constituents of future nanotech developments. In this review, a survey of the complexing strategies between nanoparticles and oppositely charged polyelectrolytes developed during the last three years and based on electrostatic interactions is presented. These strategies include the one-step synthesis of stable and functionalized nanoparticles, the one- and multilayer coating of individual nano-objects, the controlled clustering of particles and the generation of capsules and thin films with superior functionalities. Among the formulation processes reported, three main classes are identified : the direct mixing route, the desalting transition pathway and the well-known layer by layer method. Finally, some latter developments, trends and applications of electrostatic assemblies in materials science and nanomedicine are highlighted