Self-Assembly

Controlling the spontaneous assembly of colloidal objects into supramolecular particles is one of the main research lines at the PSCM. In particular, we study the self-assembly of surfactant molecules, the formation of inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins, and their interaction with polymers in aqueous solution and at interfaces. In this context, natural polyelectrolytes play a primary role. Furthermore, we tune the spontaneous assembly of polyelectrolytes by employing stimuli-responsive counterions and we investigate the surfactant-induced self-assembly of nanoparticles at liquid-liquid interfaces. Additional examples include time and temperature resolved studies of interfacial molecular freezing, volume transitions in spherical polyelectrolyte brushes, and growth of worm-like vesicles in solution.