Co-assembly of Synthetic Particles with Heterogenous Components

This review article discusses the challenges of particle assembly and proposes coassembly of synthetic particles with heterogeneous assembling components as a promising solution. Particle assembly using particles as building blocks offers access to superstructural and highly functional materials. However, the rigidity and preorganized structures of particles limit their ability to contact and fuse, making particle self-assembly kinetically and/or thermodynamically unfavorable. Co-assembly of synthetic particles with synthetic/bioderived macromolecules and/or particles bearing complementary surficial chemistries provides efficient pathways to overcome these barriers, enabling the attainment of regular superstructural and highly functional materials. The review focuses on strategies and future perspectives for coassembly of synthetic particles with heterogeneous assembly components, which include block copolymers, DNA, proteins, and particles bearing different surficial chemistries. Co-assembly systems and their potential applications are reviewed. The article also discusses the challenges and future needs in the field of coassembly of synthetic nanoparticles with heterogeneous assembly components.