Stepwise assembly of multimetallic nanoparticles via self-polymerized polydopamine

Without using polyelectrolytes and reducing agents, a multilayer of multimetal nanoparticles was built-up with the help of exceptional adhesive and reductive self-polymerized polydopamine (Pdop). Uniformly distributed multilayer Ag nanoparticles (SNPs) were generated on the surface of polymer film by simply alternative dipping the film in dopamine and silver nitrate solution. The multilayered SNPs demonstrated a significant enhancement in antibacterial and catalytic performance. Multilayer of multimetal nanoparticles (SNPs followed by Au NPs or vice versa) could also be generated. The surface density of metal nanoparticles in each layer could be tuned by varying the Pdop coating time.