Hollow Inorganic Capsules via Colloid-Templated Layer-by-Layer Electrostatic Assembly

Abstract

The preparation of hollow inorganic capsules of defined shape, composition and with tailored properties is of immense scientific and technological interest. This chapter highlights a recently developed layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly process for the creation of coated colloid particles (core-shell colloids), which are subsequently converted into hollow inorganic capsules. Sacrificial core template particles are coated with multiple layers of preformed inorganic nanoparticles, or inorganic molecular precursors, and oppositely charged polyelectrolyte, utilizing electrostatic attraction for construction of the layers on the particles. Calcination of the core-shell nanocomposite colloids yields ho..