Constructing soft substrate-less platforms using particle-assembled fluid-fluid interfaces and their prospects in multiphasic applications

• Main Authors: Lee, Hiang Kwee, Lee, Yih Hong, Phan-Quang, Gia Chuong, Han, Xuemei, Koh, Charlynn Sher Lin, Ling, Xing Yi
• Other Authors: School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Science::Chemistry; Interfaces; Liquids
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/143343
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Particle-assembled fluid-fluid interfaces give rise to soft substrate-less platforms with wide-ranging applications, including remote and on-demand manipulation, optical modulation, catalysis, and multiphase and multiplex sensing, as well as in situ reaction kinetics elucidation. Notably, these soft platforms are easy to fabricate and can exhibit long-range order, both of which are challenging to achieve using traditional solid-based substrates. In this perspective, we provide an overview of the latest research in the fabrication and applications of these soft platforms. We begin with a brief discussion on the formation mechanism of two- and three-dimensional substrate-less platforms, followed by highlighting the unique properties of these platforms. We also discuss the application of these particle-assembled interfaces to three specific research areas, including dynamic tuning of optical properties, multiplex molecular sensing, and small-volume reaction modulation and kinetics monitoring. We end our perspective with an outlook on the promising research frontiers that can be achieved using these soft substrate-less platforms.