Figure 5.

Qualitative analysis of SEM images at 10000× magnification. Column 1: Bacteria adhered on the positive polyelectrolyte layer (SiO₂ plates with five polyelectrolyte layers); column 2: Black and white pictures of adherent bacteria on SiO₂ plates that were covered with five layers. The first picture had 31.4% of the surface covered with bacteria, the second 25.3%, the third 25.9%, and the fourth picture 19.5%; column 3: Adherent bacteria on the negative polyelectrolyte layer (SiO₂ plates with six polyelectrolyte layers); column 4: Black and white pictures of adherent bacteria on SiO₂ plates that were covered with five PEMs. The first picture had 14% of the surface covered with bacteria, the second 6.1%, the third 6.4%, and the fourth picture 7.3%.