This award lecture will focus on experimental and theoretical studies of the colloidal self-assembly process to form an inverse opal (IO) film with plasmonic or catalytic metal nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated. The mechanism of the assembly process leading to the deposition of a continuous, highly ordered metal oxide IO film with the partially embedded NPs is revealed by the visualization of the deposition front with time-lapse microscopy, high-resolution 3D transmission electron microscopy and by the analysis of the wetting of the templating colloids by the matrix precursor. These results are then reinforced by an analytical theory and numerical simulations of the process. The composition and optical properties of these films are demonstrated to be locally tunable using selective functionalization of the doped opals. We are exploiting this effect in the development of simple and low-cost colorimetric indicators for medical applications, in encryption, and in the design of novel heterogeneous catalysts that show an unprecedented level of thermal and mechanical stability.

<b>Award Address </b>(ACS Award in Colloid Chemistry sponsored by the Colgate-Palmolive Company). Evaporation-induced self-assembly of inverse opals: From synthesis to applications

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Award Address (ACS Award in Colloid Chemistry sponsored by the Colgate-Palmolive Company). Evaporation-induced self-assembly of inverse opals: From synthesis to applications