Reversible Temperature-triggered Particle Capture by Modified Surfaces

我们之前的EPSRC资助的12个月项目确定了使用含有接枝的温度响应性聚合物链的粘土小片修饰的电极来捕获分散的胶体颗粒的可行性，该电极使用温度作为触发器。这项延续计划旨在通过改进我们对基本原理的理解，最大限度地提高温度触发的粒子捕获和释放，并使用这项新技术来构建Janus粒子。Janus粒子是高级胶体粒子，具有双嵌段结构，每个嵌段具有不同的表面能。它们是最著名的乳液稳定剂，也将使纳米级功能设备的构建成为可能。该项目首次提出了一种生产Janus粒子的方法，该方法具有工业规模使用的潜力。

Our previous EPSRC-funded 12 month project established the feasibility of using an electrode modified with deposited clay platelets containing grafted temperature-responsive polymer chains to capture dispersed colloid particles using temperature as the trigger. This continuation proposal aims to maximise temperature-triggered particle capture and release through improvements in our understanding of the underlying principles and to use this new technology to construct Janus particles. Janus particles are advanced colloid particles that have a diblock structure with each of the blocks having different surface energies. They are the best known stabilisers for emulsions and will also enable construction of nanoscale, functional devices. This project presents, for the first time, a method to produce Janus particles that has potential to be used on an industrial scale.