Composition-controlled assembly of poly(amic acid) salt and polyethyleneimine into core-shell polyelectrolyte complexes
Abstract
The controlled supramolecular assembly of poly(amic acid) ammonium salt (PAAS), a water-soluble polyimide precursor, with branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) is reported. By systematically varying the PAAS:PEI mass ratio, stable non-stoichiometric polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles are obtained, whose size, surface charge, and internal architecture are governed by the polymer in excess. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) reveals a non-linear evolution of hydrodynamic diameter, highlighting a pronounced chain compaction occurring in PEI-rich regimes. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) provided morphological evidence of a core-shell organization governed by the polyelectrolyte in excess. Beyond colloidal characterization, these PEC nanoparticle dispersions can be readily cast into homogeneous films. Subsequent thermal treatment showed that complexation does not prevent imidization, supporting this approach as an aqueous route toward nanostructured polyimide-based films.
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BibTeX
@article{ngnagoia2026compositioncontrolled,
title = {{Composition-controlled assembly of poly(amic acid) salt and polyethyleneimine into core-shell polyelectrolyte complexes}},
author = {Josaphat Ngnagoia and Lauran Mama and Stanis Kabayo and Frédéric Gobeaux and Florent Malloggi and Patrick Guenoun and Damien Quemener},
journal = {Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1016/j.colsurfa.2026.141544},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05733297v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Composition-controlled assembly of poly(amic acid) salt and polyethyleneimine into core-shell polyelectrolyte complexes
AU - Josaphat Ngnagoia
AU - Lauran Mama
AU - Stanis Kabayo
AU - Frédéric Gobeaux
AU - Florent Malloggi
AU - Patrick Guenoun
AU - Damien Quemener
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/05
JO - Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
DO - 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2026.141544
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05733297v1
AB - The controlled supramolecular assembly of poly(amic acid) ammonium salt (PAAS), a water-soluble polyimide precursor, with branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) is reported. By systematically varying the PAAS:PEI mass ratio, stable non-stoichiometric polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles are obtained, whose size, surface charge, and internal architecture are governed by the polymer in excess. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) reveals a non-linear evolution of hydrodynamic diameter, highlighting a pronounced chain compaction occurring in PEI-rich regimes. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) provided morphological evidence of a core-shell organization governed by the polyelectrolyte in excess. Beyond colloidal characterization, these PEC nanoparticle dispersions can be readily cast into homogeneous films. Subsequent thermal treatment showed that complexation does not prevent imidization, supporting this approach as an aqueous route toward nanostructured polyimide-based films.
SN - 0927-7757
SN - 1873-4359
ER -