Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Using host-guest chemistries in a biphasic system, a novel supramolecular nanoparticle surfactant (s-NPS) with redox-responsiveness is presented to structure liquids. The in situ assembly/jamming and disassembly/unjamming of s-NPSs at the oil-water interface are reversibly controlled by a switchable redox process, imparting a nanoscale redox-responsiveness, affecting the assemblies on all length scales. "Smart" all-liquid constructs including structured emulsions and programmable liquid devices are easily prepared, showing promising applications in responsive delivery, release, and reaction systems.