The layer-by-layer (LbL) technique is one of the most promising ways of fabricating multilayer thin films and coatings with precisely controlled composition, thickness, and architecture on a nanometer scale. This chapter considers the multilayer thin films and coatings containing metal nanoparticles. The main attention was paid to LbL films containing metal nanoparticles assembled by convenient methods based on the different intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, charge transfer interaction, molecular recognition, coordination interactions, as driving force for the multilayer buildup. Much attention has paid to the LbL films containing metal nanocomposites for multifunctional catalytic applications, in particular, photocatalysis, thermal catalysis, and electrocatalysis. The preparation protocol of LbL-assembled multilayer thin films containing metal nanoparticles (such as Au, Ag, Pd, Pt), metal oxides (Fe3O4), and sulfides (CdS) that are supported on the various surfaces of nanotubes of TiO2, Al2O3 membranes, graphene nanosheets, graphene oxide and further applications as catalysts with respect to photocatalytic, electrocatalytic performances is discussed. The systematization and analysis of literature data on synthesis, characterization, and application of multilayer thin films and coatings containing metal nanoparticles on the diverse supports may open new directions and perspectives in this unique and exciting subject.
Part of the book: Thin Film Processes