Synthesis and Assembly
of Colloidal Particles with Sticky Dimples
- Publication date
- Publisher
Abstract
The preparation of anisotropic colloidal particles by
a simple yet versatile temperature-controlled swelling process is
described. The resulting polymeric particles feature a surface dimple,
the size and shape of which were determined by the amount of oil captured
in particles and the interfacial tension between the three phases:
polystyrene (PS), decane, and the suspending medium. Following the
removal of free or physically adsorbed surfactant from the swollen
particles, hydrophobic dimples were produced upon evaporation of the
oil phase. We demonstrate the spontaneous assembly of these ‘dimpled
particles’ into dumbbell shapes or trimers through a site-selective
hydrophobic interaction