Well-defined comb polymers consisting of branched homo poly(ethyleneimine) (bPEI), or poly(ethyleneimine) with grafted poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEI-PEtOx), having varying degrees of polymerization (DPs) of the main chain and branches, have been successfully deposited onto a poly(propylene) nonwoven textile fabric (PP) using a layer-by-layer technique. The surface properties of the materials have been studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Changes in the net surface charge and the electrostatic behaviour have been studied by employing electrokinetic and electrostatic measurements. The deposition of the electrolytes increased the thermal stability of the nanomaterials and enabled the absorption of copper ions from solution. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2011