Mechanophysical Synthesis of Core/Shell Hybrid Supraparticles
Abstract
Abstract Surface modification of polymer microparticles (MPs) is often essential to impart functionalities beyond their inherent properties. However, decorating these surfaces typically requires complex, multi‐step wet chemistry processes to direct assembly and bonding between surfaces, which are not only challenging to control and scale up but also pose significant environmental concerns. Inspired by asteroid impact events, assembly of core/shell hybrid supraparticles (HSPs) is demonstrated via collision‐driven, one‐step dry mixing of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) and polymer MPs with a significant contrast in elastic moduli— a process termed “mechanophysical synthesis.” Through the interplay of interfacial energy and collision energy, NPs are stably embedded onto the MP surface. The degree of surface coverage depends on mixing velocity and duration, aligning with results from particle collision simulations. HSPs can be created from a diverse combination of MPs and NPs, regardless of their shapes or chemistry. Furthermore, different types of functional NPs—such as magnetic, photocatalytic, and ion‐adsorptive—can be simultaneously introduced onto the MPs. The resulting HSPs can not only remove toxic water pollutants, but also be easily recovered and reused. The mechanophysical synthesis approach opens a new direction for sustainable and versatile self‐assembly of heterogeneous MPs, minimizing the use of excessive chemicals and solvents.
Article Details
Authors (16)
Jeonguk Hwang
School of Energy and Chemical Engineering Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
Seong Hwan Lee
Insulation Materials Research Center Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) Changwon 51543 Republic of Korea
Jinsu Kim
Geonho Lee
School of Energy and Chemical Engineering Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
Jinwoo Park
Yunseok Choi
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Washington University in Saint Louis Saint Louis 63130 USA
Jinhoon Lee
School of Energy and Chemical Engineering Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) Ulsan 44919 Republic of Korea
Jin Hong Lee
Department of Organic Materials Science and Engineering Pusan National University Busan 46241 Republic of Korea
Jae Ryung Choi
Composite Research Division Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) Changwon 51508 Republic of Korea
Cheol‐Min Yang
Institute of Advanced Composite Materials Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Jeollabuk‐do 55324 Republic of Korea
Il Jin Kim
Fusion Materials Research Group Korea Institute of Materials Convergence Technology (KIMCO) Busan 47154 Republic of Korea
Bo‐In Park
Department of Semiconductor Science and Technology Jeonbuk National University Jeollabuk‐do 54896 Republic of Korea
Shu Yang
Seung‐Yeol Jeon
Extreme Environment Shielding Material Research Center Korea Institute of Science and Technology Wanju‐gun Jeonbuk Republic of Korea
Dong Woog Lee
School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
Seunggun Yu
Insulation Materials Research Center Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) Changwon 51543 Republic of Korea