The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 31, 2020
Filed:
Feb. 21, 2018
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (US);
Kenneth R. Shull, Evanston, IL (US);
Kazi Sadman, Evanston, IL (US);
Qifeng Wang, Evanston, IL (US);
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, Evanston, IL (US);
Abstract
Methods for forming a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) film are provided. In embodiments, the method comprises applying a potential between a working electrode and a counter electrode, the electrodes in contact with an aqueous polyelectrolyte solution characterized by a bulk pH. The aqueous polyelectrolyte solution comprises a pH sensitive PEC pair comprising an unmodified anionic polymer and a cationic species, an electrochemical pH agent other than water, and a salt. The applied potential induces an electrochemical reaction of the electrochemical pH agent to generate OHor Hat the working electrode without inducing water electrolysis in the aqueous polyelectrolyte solution, thereby forming a PEC film from the unmodified anionic polymer and the cationic species on a surface of the working electrode.