Particle-click-particle: colloidal clusters from click seeded emulsion polymerization

Abstract

The self-organization of building blocks in colloidal clusters and their architecture adjustment are crucial for the synthesis and design of colloids. We report on a click seeded emulsion polymerization via a swelling-induced self-assembly procedure for controlled colloidal clusters (named “particle-click-particle”) (PCP). The driving force is attributed to the liquid bridging from the liquid corona between the swollen seed particles. Then, the formed seed clusters are rapidly solidified via a click reaction with a high yield. Using this strategy, colloidal clusters with tunable structures can be prepared by regulating the formation of liquid bridges. Moreover, it also provides an opportunity for the transformation of patchy particles to clusters via changing the seed concentrations. We aspire to develop a fast and controllable strategy to enrich the synthetic platform of colloidal clusters for widespread applications.