Coatings via Self-Assembly of Smart Nanoparticles

The present communication focuses on a novel method for the fabrication of smart coatings based on colloidal systems that combine nanoparticles and spherical responsive polymer brushes. The motivation for this work relies on the traditional and successful applications of composite coatings produced from a polymer matrix and inorganic particles. New properties of such hybrid systems can be approached by the precise design of the dimensions, structure and functionality of the building blocks.