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Colloidal precipitates

Colloidal precipitates

The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...

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Updated: May 6, 2026

Colloidal Synthesis of Nanopatch Antennas for Applications in Plasmonics and Nanophotonics

Colloidal Synthesis of Nanopatch Antennas for Applications in Plasmonics and Nanophotonics

Published on: May 28, 2016

Surface patterning of nanoparticles with polymer patches.

Rachelle M Choueiri¹, Elizabeth Galati¹, Héloïse Thérien-Aubin¹

¹Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 Saint George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.

|August 25, 2016

Summary

Researchers developed a new method to create precisely patterned nanoparticles. This technique allows for controlled surface modification of nanocolloids, enabling advanced applications in materials science and diagnostics.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Colloid Science

Background:

Surface-patterned colloidal particles are vital for mimicking atoms and molecules, studying phase transitions, and creating hybrid materials.
While larger patchy colloids are well-established, patterning nanoscale inorganic colloidal particles remains a significant challenge.
Existing nanoparticle patterning methods are limited to simple configurations like two-patch or raspberry morphologies.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel method for creating precisely patterned inorganic nanoparticles.
To enable control over patch dimensions, distribution, and number on the nanoparticle surface.
To demonstrate the versatility of the patterning technique across various nanoparticle types and polymer ligands.

Main Methods:

Utilized thermodynamically driven segregation of polymer ligands from a uniform polymer brush into surface-pinned micelles.
Induced patch formation through controlled changes in solvent quality.
Employed photocrosslinking to permanently preserve reversible patch structures.
Validated patch characteristics against a theoretical model.

Main Results:

Successfully demonstrated nanoparticle surface patterning with controllable patch dimensions, spatial distribution, and number.
Achieved reversible patch formation that can be permanently fixed via photocrosslinking.
Showcased the method's versatility on nanoparticles of varying dimensions, shapes, and compositions.
Tethered diverse polymer types and applied various external stimuli to confirm adaptability.

Conclusions:

The developed methodology provides unprecedented control over nanoparticle surface patterning at the nanoscale.
This technique overcomes limitations of previous methods, enabling complex nanocolloid architectures.
The resulting patchy nanocolloids hold significant potential for advanced applications in nanomaterial self-assembly, diagnostics, sensing, and colloidal stabilization.