Heat-induced cross-linking of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) films was studied as a potential method for controlling the rate of release of an absorbed dye, methylene blue (MB), from the film. Alternating layers of PAA and PAH films were prepared, loaded with MB and cured at different temperatures/times. Our studies identified the conditions best controlling both the amount of MB loading and its rate of release from PAA/PAH films to be curing at 150 degrees C for 10 min. In general, curing temperatures both above and below 150 degrees C showed slower rates of release as well as lower amounts of MB loading. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.