Composite free-standing films of polydopamine/polyethyleneimine grown at the air/water interface

Mussel-inspired free-standing composite films were formed by polymerization of dopamine in the presence of polyethyleneimine at the air/water interface. These films have controllable thickness and asymmetric structure. They can be potentially developed as templates for the fabrication of silver, hydroxyapatite, titania and silica hybrid films.