Here I will describe our recent efforts in understanding and controlling the assembly of polymers and nanoparticles at a liquid–liquid interface. I will highlight how it is possible to leverage the dynamic aspects of bonding between the nanoparticles and the polymers in these systems to controllably switch between quasi-2D liquid-like and solid-like states on demand, which allows for a variety of non-equilibrium shapes (e.g., ellipsoids, cylindrical channels) to become shape-persistent. Liquid constructs of this type can be processed as discrete or continuous objects using a variety of techniques, and the elastic character of the interfacial film is robust enough to support a variety of physical, chemical, and mechanical perturbations. As such, it is now possible to generate functional and responsive all-liquid systems, including artificial vasculature, microreactors, and circuitry.

Reconfigurable all-liquid systems via nanoparticle–polymer surfactants assembled at a liquid–liquid interface

256th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.