Amphiphilic Patchy Composite Colloids

A new approach to fabricate patchy silica/polymeric gel composite colloids with amphiphilic performance is reported. The amphiphilic performance is rendered by selectively modifying the silica framework with a silane that contains an oleophilic alkyl chain. The patchy composite colloids are dispersible in both water and oil, and may be used as a solid particle surfactant. The modified silica framework can also assist other functional materials to disperse in a desired media. The corresponding silica/carbon composite colloids become amphiphilic after a sequential activation of carbon and modification of silica, and meanwhile possess as good electron conductivity as the as‐prepared silica/carbon composite colloids.