Core-shell particles: Building blocks for advanced polymer materials

Polymer particles with submicrometer dimensions show promising applications in "bottom-to-top approach" to fabrication of materials with periodic structure, function, and composition. A novel approach to producing such materials is proposed, which employs core-shell particles with specific structures and compositions. We report on the synthesis of core-shell particles using interfacial polymerization and heterocoagulation techniques. The compositions of core-forming material and/or the shell-forming polymers were selectively controlled to be make the cores or the shells rigid or fluid, fluorescent or non-fluorescent, organic or inorganic. Several potential applications of nanocomposite materials obtained from these particles are demonstrated, including three-dimensional optical data storage and optical limiting and switching.