Colloidal Superparticles from Self-Assembly of Nanoparticles

超粒子是胶体粒子形式的纳米粒子集合体。它们表现出从其纳米颗粒成分继承而来的物理和化学性质，以及由耦合效应诱导的这些成分的集体性质。在NSF固态和材料化学项目的支持下，曹教授和他的研究小组致力于：(1)发展胶体超粒子的尺寸控制合成；(2)探索胶体超粒子的成分堆积和表面形态的控制原理；(3)研究由二元纳米粒子组成形成胶体超粒子的过程。该项目的目标是开发合成方法，使单分散的胶体超粒子可能用于下一代工业的新制造技术。研究工作与培训多学科纳米科学和纳米技术研究领域的研究生和本科生的教育活动相结合。该项目还包括促进高中生对科学的兴趣的外联活动。

Superparticles are nanoparticle assemblies in the form of colloidal particles. They exhibit physical and chemical properties inherited from their nanoparticle constituents as well as the collective properties of these constituents induced from coupling effects. Under the support of the Solid State and Materials Chemistry Program at NSF, Prof. Cao and his research group aim to: (1) develop size-controlled synthesis of colloidal superparticles, (2) explore the principles that govern the constituent-packing and surface morphology of colloidal superparticles, and (3) investigate the formation of colloidal superparticles from binary nanoparticle constituents. The goal of this project is to develop synthetic methodology for making monodispersed colloidal superparticles potentially useful for new manufacturing technology for next generation industries. The research effort is integrated with educational activities for training graduate and undergraduate students in multidisciplinary nanoscience and nanotechnology research areas. This project also includes outreach activities to promote the interests of high school students in science.