Emulsion Interfacial Synthesis of Polymer/Inorganic Janus Particles

We report a method to prepare polymer/inorganic Janus particles by transferring self-assembled membranes of copolymers such as PS-b-PAA at an emulsion interface when the amine-capped particles such as paramagnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 core/shell particles are preferentially adsorbed by specific interactions. While the particles are protected, the exposed side can be further modified to conjugate aldehyde-capped polyethylene oxide (PEO). Both connections become robust by covalent bonds. The hydrophilic PEO and hydrophobic PS chains are distinctly compartmentalized onto the opposite sides of the Fe3O4@SiO2 particles. As a magnetic responsive solid surfactant, the stabilized emulsions can be driven with a magnet for directional movement and coalescence with increasing magnetic strength. This method can be extended to other Janus particles with tunable organic materials and solid particles.