Liquid Crystal-Based Emulsions for Synthesis of Spherical
and Non-Spherical Particles with Chemical Patches
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Abstract
We
report the use of liquid crystal (LC)-in-water emulsions for
the synthesis of either spherical or non-spherical particles with
chemically distinct domains located at the poles of the particles.
The approach involves the localization of solid colloids at topological
defects that form predictably at surfaces of water-dispersed LC droplets.
By polymerizing the LC droplets displaying the colloids at their surface
defects, we demonstrate formation of both spherical and, upon extraction
of the mesogen, anisotropic composite particles with colloids located
at either one or both of the poles. Because the colloids protrude
from the surfaces of the particles, they also define organized, chemical
patches with functionality controlled by the colloid surface