Polymeric complex layers are deposited onto polypropylene and polyester nonwoven fabrics via the layer by layer method. It is found that grafting after previous surface activation with an aqueous ammonium persulfate solution is a beneficial method to form the first acidic layer. In order to form polymer complexes, poly (acrylic acid), poly(itaconic acid), poly(allylamine hydrochloride), and poly(N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) are used. The deposition of subsequent layers to form polymer complexes modifies the properties of nonwovens. Moreover, it is found that the deposited layers can be microreactors for chemical processes such as polymerization of aniline and formation of polymers and copolymers. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.