The formation of nanostructured shape anisotropic nanoparticles from poly(ferrocenylsilane)-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PFS-b-P2VP) block copolymers is presented. Ellipsoidal particles with an axially stacked lamellar structure and nanosheets with a hexagonal structure of PFS cylinders are obtained under neutral wetting conditions through the use of a mixed surfactant system during self-assembly. In contrast to traditional systems, the resulting particle structure is strongly influenced by crystallization of the PFS domains under colloidal confinement with lamella-forming PFS-b-P2VP block copolymers leading to cylindrical morphologies. A blending approach was developed to control this morphological change and by the addition of PFS homopolymers, ellipsoidal particles with a lamellar structure could also be obtained. Ultimately, the spatial control over two orthogonal functionalities was exploited to demonstrate morphology transitions for nanosheets upon the exposure to methanol as solvent for P2VP and FeCl 3 as a redox stimulus, opening up a variety of applications in the field of stimuli-responsive materials.T he unique performance of many natural materials is a direct result of the combination of multiple structural features in a synergistic fashion. 1 Highly specific functional properties are achieved by simultaneously controlling shape anisotropy, morphology, and stimuli-responsiveness from the nano-to the micrometer length scale. While this has long inspired researchers to strive for similar abilities in synthetic materials, approaching nature's extraordinary level of control remains a challenge. 2 One promising approach to such complex materials is based on controlling the self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) in nanoparticles upon solvent evaporation from emulsions. In such three-dimensional confinements, phase-separation gives access to unique structures and is dramatically influenced by the particle/water interface. One promising strategy to selectively tune the BCP self-assembly in these colloidal systems is based on using functional surfactants to adjust the surface energies between the different blocks and the surrounding medium. This facile and scalable methodology not only allows control over particle morphology, but also the overall shape. 3−12 The increasing availability of nanostructured shape anisotropic particles 13,14 is of significant interest as it opens up a variety of applications due to their unique properties, for example, in optics 15 or in cell internalization. 16 Recent examples include convex-shaped nanodiscs/-sheets with cylindrical domains 17,18 (perpendicular to the long axis) and striped ellipsoidal nanoparticles. 6,19 In such systems, both BCP domains are adjoining the particle surface, which enables access by chemical reagents present in the surrounding medium. In the case of stimuli-responsive BCPs, a specific response of a domain can lead to an overall change of the particles' structure. This has recently been demonstrated by the preparation of dynamic shape changing parti...

A novel and convenient route for the preparation of monodisperse ferrocene-containing core-interlayershell particles using emulsion polymerisation protocols is described. These metallopolymer-based particles can be used to produce highly ordered elastomeric opal films with fascinating distinct reflection colours.The present work additionally describes the combined addressability of both stimuli, redox-chemistry and mechanical stress. The obtained materials are interesting since application of the melt-shear process followed by crosslinking of the matrix provides access to large-area, mechano-responsive elastomeric opal films featuring an additional redox response. Both, basic synthesis aspects and first steps towards application in the field of stimuli-responsive sensing of respective materials are discussed.

An efficient and universal surface modification protocol for silica nanoparticles is reported for the preparation of novel hybrid optical materials.

A novel strategy to achieve easily scalable magneto-responsive nanoceramics with core/shell and nanorattle-type or yolk/shell architectures based on a ferrocene-containing polymer precursor is described. Monodisperse nanorattle-type magnetic particles are obtained by using convenient semicontinuous emulsion polymerization and Stöber process protocols followed by thermal treatment. The particles are characterized by TGA, TEM, WAXS, DLS, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. Herein, established synthetic protocols widen opportunities for the convenient bottom-up strategies of various ferrocene-precursor-based spherical architectures for advanced ceramics with potential applications within fields of sensing and stimuli-responsive nanophotonics.