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

具有先进结构和受控化学设计的胶体颗粒是响应和自适应功能材料的关键成分，如自修复凝胶，超致密可再生涂层，智能膜或组织工程支架。在这种情况下，可切换的胶体粒子的自组装成分层结构打开了新的视野，发现新的材料与控制的表面，界面和散装性能。自组装颗粒能够快速、可逆和可控地形成结构。然而，完全控制它们与最终结构之间的相互作用仍然具有挑战性。因此，本项目的目的是（i）合成具有受控均匀和非均匀Janus设计的刺激响应核壳颗粒，（ii）研究和控制它们在分散体中自组装过程中的刺激响应特性和它们之间的相互作用，以及（iii）研究它们可逆组装和形成高级形态的能力。在本项目范围内，将使用新开发的方法合成具有受控粒度、化学表面功能性、表面电荷、聚合物壳密度、厚度和Janus平衡的Janus和均匀核壳颗粒。利用光学显微镜和电子显微镜对非均匀Janus和均匀核壳粒子的不同组合在分散体中的可逆自组装进行了实验研究。这些目标将伴随着坚持不懈的努力，将自己的实验结果与现有的理论预测进行比较。

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.