In this study, particle polyelectrolyte complexes (PPECs) were formed by mixing cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) and silica nanoparticles using the jet mixing technique. Within certain limits, the size of the formed PPECs could be controlled. The aim was to prepare PPECs with embedded sacrificial bonds, similar to those found in bones. Examination of PPEC adsorption to silica model surfaces indicated that,smaller PPECs adsorbed to a higher level than larger ones, due to the higher diffusion speed of smaller complexes. Adsorption studies of the same components as in the PPECs, but arranged in multilayers, that is, particle polyelectrolyte multilayers (PPEMs), indicated a stable, gradual build-up of material on the surface with smaller nanoparticles, whereas PPEMs comprising elongated nanoparticles appeared to be more loosely adsorbed onto the surface when the nanoparticles were in the outer layer, due to repulsive forces within the adsorbed layer. The AFM colloidal probe technique was used to study the interaction between surfaces treated with PPECs, multilayers, or polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs). The results showed that the expected long-range disentanglement could be achieved with PPECs but that the pull-off forces were generally low. Treatment with PPEMs comprising the same polymer and nanoparticle components produced higher pull-off values, together with disentanglement behaviour, possibly due to better contact between the surfaces. Adhesion experiments with polymer PECs showed significantly higher pull-off values than with the PPECs, probably due to polymer interdiffusion across the surface boundary. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.