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Molecular Mimetic Self‐Assembly of Colloidal Particles
Author(s) -
Mao Zhengwei,
Xu Haolan,
Wang Dayang
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.200902076
Subject(s) - nanotechnology , mesoscopic physics , colloidal particle , self assembly , materials science , colloid , particle (ecology) , amphiphilic molecule , molecule , molecular self assembly , amphiphile , chemical physics , chemical engineering , chemistry , physics , organic chemistry , polymer , copolymer , composite material , engineering , oceanography , quantum mechanics , geology
This article presents an overview of the current progress in molecular mimetic self‐assembly of colloidal particles. Firstly, the recent study of colloidal particles at interfaces is highlighted, underlining the mesoscopic mimicry of the surface activity of amphiphilic molecules using colloidal particles. Secondly, various strategies developed thus far to impart colloidal particles with anisotropy in terms of chemical composition, surface chemistry and particle morphology, which are regarded as mesoscopic atoms and molecules, are reviewed. Thirdly, an overview of the current theoretical and experimental results of using the rules of molecular synthesis and self‐assembly to direct self‐assembly of colloidal particles is presented. Finally, the experimental challenges associated with molecular mimetic self‐assembly of colloidal particles are outlined, giving a rather conservative conclusion of the status quo of this new research field with a very optimistic outlook.