Many biological processes function via reconfiguration on a molecular level. Implementing the capability of reconfiguration into the synthesis of materials is a challenge in material science and engineering. Here, we demonstrate the bulk synthesis of colloidal particles which contain built-in shape-changing properties. We exploit the dynamic wettability of an oil phase on various solid substrates to engineer shape-shifting colloidal particles whose geometries can change upon exposure to a chemical or optical stimulus. We find the approach to be general and applicable to many materials, including polymers, semiconductors, and magnetic materials. We further demonstrate that the reconfiguration of an entire colloidal crystal, containing particles with built-in shape-shifting properties, can lead to macrostructures that would be inaccessible via direct self-assembly. We expect this synthetic method to aid in the bulk synthesis of functional colloids such as active Janus particles, colloidal surfactants, and self-assembling materials.

Reconfigurable colloids via stimulated dewetting

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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