QCM measurements. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) experiments were performed using silicon dioxide (SiO2)coated quartz sensors. The experiments were performed using dissipa�on set-up at 22 °C. The sensors were first treated with UV-ozone cleaner for 30 min, and subsequently dipped in 2% sodium dodecyl sulphate solu�on for 45 minutes at 37 °C, sonicated for 5 minutes. The sensors were rinsed excessively with water, and dried with a gentle flow of nitrogen and treated again with UV-ozone cleaner for 45 min. PLL and PSS solu�ons were prepared (0.5 g L -1 in water). The deposi�on on the sensor surface started with rinsing sensor surfaces with Milli-Q water, then followed by consecu�ve cycles of PLL and PSS layers. The real-�me change in frequency and dissipa�on response between 3 rd and 9 th harmonics were analyzed using Q-Sense. See Supplementary Informa�on Fig. for further informa�on.