Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Stimuli-Responsive Core-Shell Janus Particles

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Colloidal particles with advanced architectures and controlled chemical design are the key ingredients for responsive and adaptive functional materials such as self-healing gels, ultra-dense renewable coatings, smart membranes or scaffolds for tissue engineering. In this context, the self-assembly of switchable colloidal particles into hierarchical structures opens new horizons for discovering of novel materials with controlled surface, interfacial and bulk properties. The self-assembling particles are able to form structures rapidly, reversibly and controllably. However, full control over the interactions between them and the final structures is still challenging. Therefore, this project aims (i) to synthesize stimuli-responsive core-shell particles with controlled homogeneous and non-homogeneous Janus design, (ii) to investigate and control their stimuli-responsive properties and interactions between them during self-assembly in dispersions as well as (iii) to investigate their ability to assemble reversibly and to form advanced morphologies. Within the scope of this project, Janus and homogeneous core-shell particles with controlled particle size, chemical surface functionality, surface charge, polymer shell densities, thickness and Janus balance will be synthesized using newly developed approaches. The reversible self-assembly in dispersions of different combinations of non-homogeneous Janus and homogeneous core-shell particles will be experimentally investigated using optical and electron microscopies. These aims will be accompanied by persistent efforts to compare experimental own findings with existing theoretical predictions.