Surface wettability of compressed polyelectrolyte multilayers

Distinctive surface wettability of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)/poly(styrene sulfonate) multilayers irreversibly compressed by a flat or patterned poly(dimethylsiloxane) stamp has been demonstrated by contact angle measurements. The diffusion behavior of water droplet on the patterned compressed film has been tracked by confocal laser scanning microscopy directly. The surface wettability alteration was discussed and interpreted in terms of polymer conformation and surface topography.