Patchy Janus particles with tunable roughness and composition via vapor-assisted deposition of macromolecules

Here, we present a technique for the fabrication of patchy Janus particles utilizing a vapor-assisted macromolecular deposition technique, termed Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE). Using this technique, both inorganic and organic precursor particles, immobilized on a surface, are functionalized on one hemisphere with nanodroplets of a desired polymer, thus forming particles with a patchy Janus morphology and textured surface topology. This fabrication method is flexible with respect to the chemical identity of the precursor particle and the selection of the deposited polymer. By tuning MAPLE deposition parameters, e.g., target composition or deposition time, the Janus anisotropy and roughness (i.e., patchiness) can be tuned, thus enabling greater control over the particles' behavior for applications as nanoparticle surfactants for stabilization of emulsions and foams.