IMX Talks - Understanding the molecularly heterogeneous interfaces of nanoparticles

Interfaces, specifically solid-liquid interfaces, play important roles in many scientific fields. For example, protein functions rely largely on its complex surface structure, which is composed of nanoscale hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. Likewise, the structured surface determines the self-assembly, molecular recognition, catalysis, and numerous other applications of nanomaterials. To date, the nanoscale interfacial structure-property relationship is still poorly understood. In this talk, I will focus on a specific type of nanoparticle that presents a molecularly heterogeneous surface through the self-organization of small molecules. A series of characterization techniques will first be introduced to reconstruct the 3D structure of these materials. With these tools, I will also explain some nonadditive interfacial properties of these nanoparticles, which deviates from the conventional continuum thermodynamic theories. Finally, the talk will end with discussions on how these results could help us better understand complex biological interfaces and regulate their solution behaviour.
Bio: Dr. Zhi Luo, born in China in 1991, received his bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering from Tsinghua University in 2013. He then obtained his Ph.D. at the Materials Science Department of EPFL under the supervision of Prof. Francesco Stellacci. His doctoral thesis was focused on the physical chemistry and characterization of complex nanomaterial interfaces, which was awarded with the Thesis Distinction at EPFL in 2018. After that he decided to broaden the research scope and joined the group of Prof. Jean-​Christophe Leroux at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science at ETH as a postdoc. By applying his understandings in material interfaces to drug delivery, he is dedicated in developing novel concepts for oral delivery of macromolecules using physical and mechanical principles. Dr. Luo has received several recognitions including the ETH Fellow, Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad, and most recently, the IPW Young Scientist Lecture Award at ETH.