Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Multi-Patch Functional Colloids

This talk will discuss the creation of artificial materials systems which can be programmed to self-assemble and may even allow self-replication of structures. To achieve this, an indispensable prerequisite is the multi-directional control of interactions between the building blocks of materials. Thus, we describe a new class of multi-patch colloidal particles via an advanced micro-contact printing technique yielding patches of different chemical or physical functionalities. The new production process allows precise control over the patch location and chemistry even with low molecular weight inks and thus also yields particles that go well beyond known ABA- or ABC-type Janus particles. In addition chemical approaches for selective interaction and their influence on the self-assembly behavior will be discussed[1-5].


[1] M. Zimmermann, D. Grigoriev, N. Puretskiy, A. Böker
"Characteristics of Microcontact Printing with Polyelectrolyte Ink for the Precise Preparation of Patches on Silica Particles" RSC Advances 2018, 8, 39241.

[2] D. John, M. Zimmermann, A. Böker
“Generation of 3-Dimensional Multi-Patches on Silica Particles via Printing with Wrinkled Stamps” Soft Matter 2018, 14, 3057.

[3] M. Zimmermann, D. John, D. Grigoriev, N. Puretskiy, A. Böker
“From 2D to 3D patches on multifunctional particles: How Microcontact Printing creates a new Dimension of Functionality” Soft Matter 2018, 14, 2301.

[4] F. Naderi Mehr, D. Grigoriev, N. Puretskiy, A. Böker
“Mono-patchy zwitterionic microcolloids as building blocks for pH-controlled self-assembly” Soft Matter 2019, 15, 2430.

[5] M. Sperling, M. Reifarth, R. Grobe, A. Böker
“Tailoring Patches on Particles: A Modified Microcontact Printing Routine Using Polymer-functionalised Stamps” Chem. Comm. 2019, 55, 10104.