Ordered Arrays of Hybrid Core-Shell Nanoparticles

New hybrid inorganic-organic core-shell nanoparticles will be prepared by the combination of different oxometallate particles as cores with polymers by a "grafting from" approach via controlled polymerization techniques. The obtained hybrid systems will be used for the controlled assembly and stabilization of colloidal crystals which have potential applications in optics and sensing. The inorganic core will be prepared by different methodologies like sol-gel process of transition metal alkoxides, forced hydrolysis of metal salts, or by microemulsion techniques. The challenge of this synthesis is the formation of monodisperse particles with low dispersities, in the particle size. Initiating functional groups for the graft polymerization will be introduced on the surface by direct functionalization during the core formation or by post- functionalization of the pre-formed inorganic cores. Controlled polymerizations like atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) or cationic oxazoline polymerization will be carried out for the formation of the organic shell. Changing the type of polymer is expected to have a major influence on the surface properties as well as on the formation of the colloidal crystals.