Synthesis of Nano/Microstructures at Fluid Interfaces

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2010-12, Vol.49 (52), p.10052-10066
• Main Authors: Niu, Zhongwei, He, Jinbo, Russell, Thomas P., Wang, Qian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: colloidosomes; hierarchical structures; interfacial assembly; interfacial reactions; Janus structures
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201001623

The generation of novel multifunctional materials with hierarchical ordering is a major focus of current materials science and engineering. For such endeavors, fluid interfaces, such as air–liquid and liquid–liquid interfaces, offer ideal platforms where nanoparticles or colloidal particles can accumulate and self‐assemble. Different assembly processes and reactions have been performed at fluid interfaces to generate hierarchical structures, including two‐dimensional crystalline films, colloidosomes, raspberry‐like core–shell structures, and Janus particles, which lead to broad applications in drug delivery and controlled release, nanoelectronics, sensors, food supplements, and cosmetics. An ideal starting point for the formation of multifunctional materials are air–liquid interfaces and interfaces between two liquids at which nanoparticles or colloidal particles can accumulate. At such liquid interfaces, various organizational processes and reactions have been carried out to form hierarchical structures, such as two‐dimensional crystalline films, colloidosomes, raspberry‐like core–shell structures, or Janus particles.