Recent developments in fabrication and applications of colloid based composite particles

Abstract

In recent years, a variety of nano-(micro) scale organic-inorganic composite particles with well defined chemical composition, size and morphology have been fabricated and their applications in wide spectrum of cutting-edge technological areas have been explored. This review is focused on recent developments towards various fabrication methodologies and applications of such colloid based composite particles. Strategies for preparation of nano and micro scale composite materials are presented by choosing as examples hard core based composite particles having core-shell and raspberry-like morphologies and soft core based composite microgels. Applications of these materials in wide range of potential areas are discussed including the fabrication of colloidal crystal arrays, hollow spheres, superhydrophobic surfaces, filler carriers and smart nanomaterials.

Interaction of gold nanoparticles with thermoresponsive microgels: influence of the cross-linker density on optical properties

“…9,10 Hybrid materials can be prepared by combining such microgels with inorganic nanoparticles to create multifunctional particles. [11][12][13][14] Ideally these hybrid materials combine the responsiveness of the microgel with the optical, catalytic or magnetic properties of the embedded inorganic material. Many hybrid materials are based on the polymer coating of preformed nanoparticles [15][16][17] or the in situ synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles within a polymer matrix.…”

Multifunctional inorganic/organic hybrid microgels

“…The preparation and characterization of such composite systems has attracted enormous interest in the last decade [33][34][35][36][37][38][39]. It is noted that the present discussion is limited to systems with overall colloidal dimensions and water-swollen polymer networks (hydrogels).…”

Raspberry-like particles via the heterocoagulated reaction between reactive epoxy and amino groups

“…Recently, much work has been done about the core-corona polymer hybrids with raspberry-like structure due to their wide applications in various fields, including biotechnology, medicine, electronics, chemical industry, pharmacology, and photographic [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Especially, well-defined raspberry-like particles are promising materials as building blocks in constructing superhydrophobic materials [11], which could be used in many fields such as self-cleaning, marine coating and reducing flow resistance in micro-fluidic channels [12][13][14].…”