Formation of dendrimer nanotubes by layer-by-layer deposition

The direct layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition method for dendrimers used within the pores of ordered porous alumina for the formation of dendrimer nanotubes was discussed. The LbL approach involves the alternate adsorption of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes (PS) driven by electrostatic attraction. The dendrimer NTs were fabricated using ordered porous alumina templates 400 nm in diameter with a pore depth of 80 μm and the pores are open at one end. Dendrimers tubes prepared by the LbL templating of pores having one open and one closed end may show a gradient of their mechanical stability which indicates that the effective number of deposition steps near the pore bottom is smaller than the actual value. The results show that dendrimer tubes with a high number of functional groups exposed to their environment are potential candidates for various applications, either released from attached to the walls of a template.