Enhancing Colloids Through the Surface

摘要

Colloidal particles are used in many consumer and industrial products, from cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals to adhesives and paints. In these applications, the colloidal particles are usually spherical and have homogeneous surfaces. If their assembly could be influenced by manipulating the surface chemistry of the particles, new opportunities for colloidal materials could emerge. For example, proposed photonic applications-as chemical sensors, optical filters, or interconnects-could be realized if colloidal crystals could be assembled into new symmetries with large, defect-tolerant photonic band gaps. Surface-modified colloids and colloidal crystals may also be used in biological, microelectronic, and catalytic applications.