Janus particles are of great research interest because of their reduced symmetry, which provides them with unique physical and chemical properties. Here, we present a facile route for the synthesis of such particles through colloidal assembly of glucose-functionalized polystyrene spheres and an emulsion of phenyltrimethoxysilane (Ph-TMS) in aqueous ammonia, followed by interfacial polycondensation of Ph-TMS to form a polyphenylsiloxane patch (Fig. 1) [1]. The selectivity in the formation of these Janus nanoparticles is unexpectedly high, and we demonstrate that both the size of the polystyrene sphere and the polyphenylsiloxane patch can be adapted independently from each other [2]. Furthermore, we report insights into the details of the mechanism of formation of the Janus particles, and apply those to adapt the synthesis conditions in a way that polystyrene spheres decorated with multiple polyphenylsiloxane patches are formed (Fig. 1) [1]. The Janus particles are used as an intermediate in the formation of specific plasmonic materials, so called Au semishells [2]. The particles are coated with Au in a seeding-plating sequence, and subsequently the polyphenylsiloxane patch decorated with Au is removed through dissolution in toluene, yielding a polystyrene sphere which is partially covered with a Au semishell (Fig. 2). These materials are optically characterized, and of interest for their plasmonic properties, e.g. for application in optical and optoelectronic devices [2].

Facile synthesis of polystyrene-polyphenylsiloxane Janus nanoparticles and their use as intermediate for the synthesis of tailored plasmonic materials

256th National Meeting (2018)

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