The layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique

which was developed by Decher and co-workers in the early 1990s

has been proven to be an effective method to fabricate multilayer films with tailored chemical composition and architecture in micro and nanoscales.In the last decade

LbL assembly technique has made a rapid progress in film preparative methodologies and functional film materials.However

there are remaining challenges to scientists such as the general methods for fabrication of patterned films and multilayer films with noncentrosymmetric film structures

and so forth.In this paper

the recent progress in the fabrication and functionalization of the layer-by-LbL assembled polymeric multilayer film in our group is presented.Multilayer films with noncentrosymmetrically orientated azobenzene chromophores were fabricated by using the combination of surface sol-gel process and electrostatic LbL assembly technique

which can be used as second-order nonlinear optical film materials.A facile

cost-effective and generally applicable method for patterning LbL assembled polymeric multilayer films was developed by the combination of LbL assembly technique with room-temperature nanoimprinting technique.LbL assembled multilayer films with high loading capacity were fabricated by alternate deposition of slightly cross-linked polymeric microgels.Ion-triggered exfoliation method was developed to obtain large area free-standing LbL assembled polymeric multilayer film.Broad-band superhydrophobic antireflective(AR) coatings in near infrared(NIR) region with superhydrophobic surface were readily fabricated by the LbL assembly technique.