Introduction

Functional materials

The research in novel nano- and microstructured materials with custom designed properties, composition and structure (symmetry) has been driven by the potential of using such materials in forthcoming advanced technologies. There is specific strong interest in complex one dimensional (1-D) and periodic two dimensional (2-D) and three dimensional (3-D) structures from colloidal particles. Complex 1-D assemblies have been considered as novel building blocks for materials with advanced hierarchical structure. Periodic 2-D and 3-D structures from colloidal particles display several unique and potentially usable properties resulting from the existence of a long-range order. The formation of such materials is dependent on the interactions of particles with liquid—solid or liquid—liquid interfaces and/or their confinement in thin liquid films. The need to understand the forces involved in the assembly of structures from colloidal particles has led to important fundamental insights in the field of colloidal forces and self-organization.

The materials formed by organization and assembly of colloidal particles have a number of unique and potentially utilizable features. Coatings and surface patterning with colloidal particles allow for modification of properties like wetting and reflectivity. The long-range organization of particles in coatings brings a number of significant advantages. Particle arrays often display strong interaction with light and other electromagnetic radiation.