Functional colloidal materials were prepared by design through the self-assembly of
nanoparticles (NPs) on the surfaces of polystyrene (PS) spheres with control over NP surface
coverage, NP-to-NP spacing, and NP composition. The ability to control and fine tune the
coating was extended to the first demonstration of the co-assembly of NPs of dissimilar
composition onto the same PS sphere, forming a multi-component coating. A broad range of NP
decorated PS (PS@NPs) spheres were prepared with uniform coatings attributed to electrostatic
and hydrogen bonding interactions between stabilizing groups on the NPs and the functionalized
surfaces of the PS spheres. This versatile two-step method provides more fine control than
methods previously demonstrated in the literature. These decorated PS spheres are of interest for
a number of applications, such as catalytic reactions where the PS spheres provide a support for
the dispersion, stabilization, and recovery of NP catalysts. The catalytic properties of these
PS@NPs spheres were assessed by studying the catalytic degradation of azo dyes, an
environmental contaminant detrimental to eye health. The PS@NPs spheres were used in
multiple, sequential catalytic reactions while largely retaining the NP coating