Multifunctional Patchy Particles by Glancing Angle Deposition

The application of glancing angle deposition (GLAD) as a means to produce a variety of multifunctional patchy particles is reported. The GLAD technique has been previously used to produce anisotropic particles with an anisotropy dimension of patchiness. Here, we extend the technique to produce multifunctional patchy particles with anisotropy dimensions of patchiness, branching, and chemical ordering. To access the entire particle surface, a particle stamping technique is employed using a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp. The particle stamping technique along with GLAD yields multifunctional patchy particles having patches oil opposite poles. The potential of the developed techniques in producing it wide variety of surface-anisotropic particles with variable patch size, shape. and orientation is demonstrated.