Fabricating
Transparent Multilayers with UV and Near-IR
Double-Blocking Properties through Layer-by-Layer Assembly
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Abstract
We have fabricated a transparent
composite film with UV and near-infrared
(near-IR) double-blocking properties using polyethyleneimine (PEI),
indium tin oxide (ITO), and zinc oxide (ZnO) through layer-by-layer
(LbL) assembly under an ultrasonic field. By applying ultrasonic-assisted
LbL assembly, the aggregation of nanoparticles has been excluded,
resulting in a flatter and more transparent (visible range) film than
that obtained under conventional LbL assembly. Moreover, the effects
of the ultrasonic field are discussed in terms of the fact that the
transformation between the states of PEI/ITO films assembled with
or without ultrasonic field was reversible. To enhance the UV-blocking
properties in the most damaging region (290–350 nm), we incorporated
ZnO nanoparticles, which can block UV rays below 350 nm, and the obtained
hybrid multilayer displayed a high transparency of over 85% (visible
range) and good UV-/near-IR double-blocking effects that shielded
nearly 80% of the UV rays under 350 nm and 80% of the IR radiation
above 1600 nm