Stimuli-responsive colloids: From stratified to self-repairing Polymeric Films and Beyond

Although stratification in polymeric colloids and films has been known for a long time, its significance has not been recognized until surface-interfacial properties driven by mobility of dispersing agents became one of the key features that impact structure–property relationships. Learning from these studies, the last decade resulted in significant advances that have led to the development of a new generation of polymeric materials in general, and colloids in particular, that exhibit stimuli-responsive attributes. As significant as hydrophobic interactions are in biological systems, the abundance of these and other interactions can be found in colloids that are capable of recognition and dynamic responsiveness leading to life-like materials with significant technological applications. Recent advances in the development of stimuli-responsive colloidal materials are discussed in the context of surface and bulk responsive morphologies, from dynamic shape and color changing colloidal nanoparticles to expandable nanotubes and polymer-modified metal nanoparticles. Stimuli-responsive and signaling attributes of macromolecular segments of colloids along with dispersing components will play key roles during colloidal film formation. Concurrently, the development of heterogeneous functional objects that can exhibit dimensional change initiated by light or other environmental factors will form a new platform of amazing and sparkling technologies for the 21st century capable of producing on-demand self-repairing colloid-based materials.