Functional layer-by-layer multilayer films for ion recognition

Functional multilayer films that contain ion-recognition agents, including 1-aza-18-crown-6 (A18C6), benzo-18-crown-6 (B18C6), B15C5-An-A18C6, are developed. The ion-selective behaviors of these multilayer films were characterized by means of electrochemical or fluorescent methods. The functional multilayer films may be directly applied on various sensing devices and it is expected that the approach can be generally used for recognition of cations, anions, and electrically neutral molecules by interchanging molecular receptors.