Colloidosome Assemblies. @ University of Massachusetts Amherst

Rotello developed a very rapid and convenient method for fabricating microspheres with walls made of nanoparticles, known as colloidosomes. In this method alkyne and azide functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles are co-assembled at the water-in oil-interface and covalently linked using “click” chemistry under ambient conditions to create magnetic colloidosomes. These colloidosomes are highly stable in water, have size selective permeability, and are responsive towards external magnetic stimuli. Rotello and Dinsmore extended this process to develop stable NP self-assemblies at liquid-liquid interfaces. Terpyridine thiol (Terpy-SH) functionalized FePt NPs were self-assembled at the oil/water interface and simultaneously crosslinked at room temperature through complexation of terpyridine with Fe(II) metal ions, instantaneously affording stable membranes and colloidosomes. Tuning of the assembly process and application of this methodology to the creation of functional devices is underway.

a) Formation of magnetic colloidosomes synthesis through self-assembly at water-in-oil interfaces followed by interfacial crosslinking of NPs via click chemistry.

b) Structures of the NPs with ligands structure used for crosslinking and cross-sectional view of a colloidosome.