title: Designing smart particles for the assembly of complex macroscopic structures.
abstract: Particle get-together: Surface functionalization with a branched copolymer surfactant is used to create responsive inorganic particles that can self-assemble in complex structures. The assembly process is triggered by a pH switch that reversibly activates multiple hydrogen bonds between ceramic particles (see picture; yellow) and soft templates (n-decane; green).
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials, Imperial College London, UK. esther.garcia-tunon@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garcia-Tunon
authors.forename: Suelen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barg
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Jonathan V M
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goyos
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saiz
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D000537:Aluminum Oxide
keywords: ceramics; self-assembly; smart particles; surface chemistry; surfactants