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Abgarjan V, Kuk K, Garthe JLS, Wigger TL, Karg M. Compression, expansion and relaxation of soft colloidal monolayers at the air/water interface. SOFT MATTER 2025. [PMID: 40261075 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm01383b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/24/2025]
Abstract
The phase behavior of soft and deformable microgels at fluid interfaces is typically studied with a Langmuir trough and using uniaxial compression. In situ investigations that shine light on the structural arrangements and changes during compression are scarce. Knowledge on the phase behavior is mostly generated from ex situ observations after transfer of monolayers from the fluid interface onto a substrate. Similarly, little is known about the impact of the compression geometry and potentially occurring relaxation processes after compression. Here, we use small-angle light scattering implemented in a Langmuir trough to follow the evolution of microgel monolayers in situ and in real time. We use core-shell microgels as soft model colloids where the rigid cores ensure large contrast for light diffraction. Not only the influence of compression but also the influence of expansion is studied as well as relaxation after previous compression/expansion. At sufficiently high surface pressures, densely packed monolayers of partially compressed microgels are obtained at air/water interfaces. In this regime, the monolayer response upon manipulation of the accessible interfacial area is reversible over many cycles. The uniaxial geometry of this manipulation leads to anisotropic deformation of the monolayer seen by the recorded structure factor. Upon stopping compression/expansion, anisotropy relaxes with two time constants but full isotropy is not recovered. This work underlines the potential and necessity of in situ ensemble techniques for investigating soft colloidal monolayers at fluid interfaces. With our results, we advance the understanding of how soft colloids react to uniaxial compression/expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahan Abgarjan
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Keumkyung Kuk
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Jonathan Linus Samuel Garthe
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Tillmann Lukas Wigger
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Matthias Karg
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
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2
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Zhou Y, Çallıoǧlu Ş, Arya G. From Frustration to Order: Role of Fluid-Fluid Interfaces in Precision Assembly of Nanoparticles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:26800-26810. [PMID: 39666580 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c03321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2024]
Abstract
Fluid-fluid interfaces are an attractive platform for self-assembling nanoparticles into low-dimensional materials. In this Perspective, we review recent developments in the use of interfaces to direct the assembly of spherical and anisotropic nanoparticles into diverse and sophisticated architectures. We illustrate how nanoparticle clusters, strings, networks, superlattices, chiral lattices, and quasicrystals can be self-assembled by harnessing the frustration between interfacial and interparticle forces. We highlight the role of polymeric ligands attached to the surface of nanoparticles in modulating assembly behavior by directly altering particle-fluid and particle-particle interactions or by deforming at interfaces and junctions between particles. We conclude by providing a roadmap of key questions and opportunities in this exciting field of interfacial assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Zhou
- Materials Science Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Şafak Çallıoǧlu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Gaurav Arya
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
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3
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Vialetto J, Camerin F, Ramakrishna SN, Zaccarelli E, Isa L. Exploring the 3D Conformation of Hard-Core Soft-Shell Particles Adsorbed at a Fluid Interface. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2303404. [PMID: 37541434 PMCID: PMC10558683 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
The encapsulation of a rigid core within a soft polymeric shell allows obtaining composite colloidal particles that retain functional properties, e.g., optical or mechanical. At the same time, it favors their adsorption at fluid interfaces with a tunable interaction potential to realize tailored two-dimensional (2D) materials. Although they have already been employed for 2D assembly, the conformation of single particles, which is essential to define the monolayer properties, has been largely inferred via indirect or ex situ techniques. Here, by means of in situ atomic force microscopy experiments, the authors uncover the interfacial morphology of hard-core soft-shell microgels, integrating the data with numerical simulations to elucidate the role of the core properties, of the shell thicknesses, and that of the grafting density. They identify that the hard core can influence the conformation of the polymer shells. In particular, for the case of small shell thickness, low grafting density, or poor core affinity for water, the core protrudes more into the organic phase, and the authors observe a decrease in-plane stretching of the network at the interface. By rationalizing their general wetting behavior, such composite particles can be designed to exhibit specific inter-particle interactions of importance both for the stabilization of interfaces and for the fabrication of 2D materials with tailored functional properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Vialetto
- Laboratory for Soft Materials and InterfacesDepartment of MaterialsETH ZürichVladimir‐Prelog‐Weg 5Zürich8093Switzerland
- Present address:
Department of Chemistry & CSGIUniversity of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3Sesto FiorentinoFirenzeI‐50019Italy
| | - Fabrizio Camerin
- CNR Institute for Complex SystemsUos SapienzaP.le A. Moro 2Roma00185Italy
- Department of PhysicsSapienza University of RomeP.le A. Moro 2Roma00185Italy
- Soft Condensed Matter & BiophysicsDebye Institute for Nanomaterials ScienceUtrecht UniversityPrincetonplein 1CC Utrecht3584The Netherlands
| | - Shivaprakash N. Ramakrishna
- Laboratory for Soft Materials and InterfacesDepartment of MaterialsETH ZürichVladimir‐Prelog‐Weg 5Zürich8093Switzerland
| | - Emanuela Zaccarelli
- CNR Institute for Complex SystemsUos SapienzaP.le A. Moro 2Roma00185Italy
- Department of PhysicsSapienza University of RomeP.le A. Moro 2Roma00185Italy
| | - Lucio Isa
- Laboratory for Soft Materials and InterfacesDepartment of MaterialsETH ZürichVladimir‐Prelog‐Weg 5Zürich8093Switzerland
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4
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Kuk K, Abgarjan V, Gregel L, Zhou Y, Carrasco Fadanelli V, Buttinoni I, Karg M. Compression of colloidal monolayers at liquid interfaces: in situ vs. ex situ investigation. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:175-188. [PMID: 36426847 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01125e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The assembly of colloidal particles at liquid/liquid or air/liquid interfaces is a versatile procedure to create microstructured monolayers and study their behavior under compression. When combined with soft and deformable particles such as microgels, compression is used to tune not only the interparticle distance but also the underlying microstructure of the monolayer. So far, the great majority of studies on microgel-laden interfaces are conducted ex situ after transfer to solid substrates, for example, via Langmuir-Blodgett deposition. This type of analysis relies on the stringent assumption that the microstructure is conserved during transfer and subsequent drying. In this work, we couple a Langmuir trough to a custom-built small-angle light scattering setup to monitor colloidal monolayers in situ during compression. By comparing the results with ex situ and in situ microscopy measurements, we conclude that Langmuir-Blodgett deposition can alter the structural properties of the colloidal monolayers significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keumkyung Kuk
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Vahan Abgarjan
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Lukas Gregel
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Yichu Zhou
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Virginia Carrasco Fadanelli
- Institut für Experimentelle Physik der kondensierten Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ivo Buttinoni
- Institut für Experimentelle Physik der kondensierten Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matthias Karg
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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5
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Vialetto J, Ramakrishna SN, Isa L. In situ imaging of the three-dimensional shape of soft responsive particles at fluid interfaces by atomic force microscopy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabq2019. [PMID: 36351021 PMCID: PMC9645722 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The reconfiguration of individual soft and deformable particles upon adsorption at a fluid interface underpins many aspects of their dynamics and interactions, ultimately regulating the properties of monolayers of relevance for applications. In this work, we demonstrate that atomic force microscopy can be used for the in situ reconstruction of the three-dimensional conformation of model poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels adsorbed at an oil-water interface. We image the particle topography from both sides of the interface to characterize its in-plane deformation and to visualize the occurrence of asymmetric swelling in the two fluids. In addition, the technique enables investigating different fluid phases and particle architectures, as well as studying the effect of temperature variations on particle conformation in situ. We envisage that these results open up an exciting range of possibilities to provide microscopic insights into the single-particle behavior of soft objects at fluid interfaces and into the resulting macroscopic material properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lucio Isa
- Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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6
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Kuk K, Gregel L, Abgarjan V, Croonenbrock C, Hänsch S, Karg M. Micron-Sized Silica-PNIPAM Core-Shell Microgels with Tunable Shell-To-Core Ratio. Gels 2022; 8:gels8080516. [PMID: 36005117 PMCID: PMC9407347 DOI: 10.3390/gels8080516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Micron-sized hard core-soft shell hybrid microgels are promising model systems for studies of soft matter as they enable in-situ optical investigations and their structures/morphologies can be engineered with a great variety. Yet, protocols that yield micron-sized core-shell microgels with a tailorable shell-to-core size ratio are rarely available. In this work, we report on the one-pot synthesis protocol for micron-sized silica-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) core-shell microgels that has excellent control over the shell-to-core ratio. Small-angle light scattering and microscopy of 2- and 3-dimensional assemblies of the synthesized microgels confirm that the produced microgels are monodisperse and suitable for optical investigation even at high packing fractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keumkyung Kuk
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lukas Gregel
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Vahan Abgarjan
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Caspar Croonenbrock
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hänsch
- Center for Advanced Imaging, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matthias Karg
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-211-81-12400
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7
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Nickel AC, Kratzenberg T, Bochenek S, Schmidt MM, Rudov AA, Falkenstein A, Potemkin II, Crassous JJ, Richtering W. Anisotropic Microgels Show Their Soft Side. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:5063-5080. [PMID: 34586813 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c01748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Anisotropic, submicrometer-sized particles are versatile systems providing interesting features in creating ordering in two-dimensional systems. Combining hard ellipsoids with a soft shell further enhances the opportunities to trigger and control order and alignment. In this work, we report rich 2D phase behavior and show how softness affects the ordering of anisotropic particles at fluid oil-water interfaces. Three different core-shell systems were synthesized such that they have the same elliptical hematite-silica core but differ with respect to thickness and stiffness of the soft microgel shell. Compression isotherms, the shape of individual core-shell microgels, and their 2D order at a decane-water interface are investigated by means of the Langmuir-Blodgett technique combined with ex-situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging as well as dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. We show how the softness, size, and anisotropy of the microgel shell affect the side-to-side vs tip-to-tip ordering of anisotropic hybrid microgels as well as the alignment with respect to the direction of compression in the Langmuir trough. A large, soft microgel shell leads to an ordered structure with tip-to-tip alignment directed perpendicular to the direction of compression. In contrast, a thin and harder microgel shell leads to side-to-side ordering orientated parallel to the compression direction. In addition, the thin and harder microgel shell induces clustering of the microgels in the dilute state, indicating the presence of strong capillary interactions. Our findings highlight the relevance of softness for the complex ordering of anisotropic hybrid microgels at interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne C Nickel
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Timon Kratzenberg
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Steffen Bochenek
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Maximilian M Schmidt
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Andrey A Rudov
- Physics Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- DWI Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Andreas Falkenstein
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Igor I Potemkin
- Physics Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- DWI Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
- National Research South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk 454080, Russia
| | - Jérôme J Crassous
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Walter Richtering
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
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8
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Fernandez-Rodriguez MA, Martín-Molina A, Maldonado-Valderrama J. Microgels at interfaces, from mickering emulsions to flat interfaces and back. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 288:102350. [PMID: 33418470 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2020.102350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we cover the topic of p(NIPAM) based microgels at interfaces, revisiting classical studies in light of the newest ones. In particular, we focus on their use as emulsifiers in the so-called mickering emulsions, i.e. Pickering emulsion stabilized by soft particles. Given the complexity of the experimental characterization and simulation of these soft particles at interfaces, the review is structured in progressive complexity levels, until we reach the highly interesting and promising responsiveness to stimuli of mickering emulsions. We start from the lowest level of complexity, the current understanding of the behavior of single microgels confined at a flat interface. Then, we discuss their collective behavior upon crowding, their responsiveness at interfaces, and their macroscopic properties as microgel films. Once we have the necessary characterization tools, we proceed to discuss the complex and convoluted picture of responsive mickering emulsions. The way is rough, with current controversial and contradicting studies, but it holds promising results as well. We state open questions worth of being tackled by the Soft Matter community, and we conclude that it is worth the trouble of continuing after the master theory of microgel interfacial activity, as it will pave the way to widely adopt responsive mickering emulsions as the worthy Pickering emulsion successors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alberto Martín-Molina
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; Institute Carlos I for Theoretical and Computational Physics, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Julia Maldonado-Valderrama
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Granada, Campus de Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain; Excellence Unit "ModellingNature" (MNat), , University of Granada, Spain.
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9
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Ji X, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zang D. Interfacial viscoelasticity and jamming of colloidal particles at fluid-fluid interfaces: a review. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2020; 83:126601. [PMID: 32998118 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/abbcd8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal particles can be adsorbed at fluid-fluid interfaces, a phenomenon frequently observed in particle-stabilized foams, Pickering emulsions, and bijels. Particles adsorbed at interfaces exhibit unique physical and chemical behaviors, which affect the mechanical properties of the interface. Therefore, interfacial colloidal particles are of interest in terms of both fundamental and applied research. In this paper, we review studies on the adsorption of colloidal particles at fluid-fluid interfaces, from both thermodynamic and mechanical points of view, and discuss the differences as compared with surfactants and polymers. The unique particle interactions induced by the interfaces as well as the particle dynamics including lateral diffusion and contact line relaxation will be presented. We focus on the rearrangement of the particles and the resultant interfacial viscoelasticity. Particular emphasis will be given to the effects of particle shape, size, and surface hydrophobicity on the interfacial particle assembly and the mechanical properties of the obtained particle layer. We will also summarize recent advances in interfacial jamming behavior caused by adsorption of particles at interfaces. The buckling and cracking behavior of particle layers will be discussed from a mechanical perspective. Finally, we suggest several potential directions for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoliang Ji
- Soft Matter & Complex Fluids Group, School of Physical Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710129, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolu Wang
- Institute of Welding and Surface Engineering Technology, Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongjian Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Surface Engineering and Remanufacturing, Xi'an University, Xi'an 710065, People's Republic of China
| | - Duyang Zang
- Soft Matter & Complex Fluids Group, School of Physical Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710129, People's Republic of China
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10
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Weijgertze HMH, Kegel WK, Zanini M. Patchy rough colloids as Pickering stabilizers. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:8002-8012. [PMID: 32778860 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00807a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Pickering stabilizers are typically considered to be perfectly smooth and chemically homogeneous. The use of rough and heterogeneous colloids is expected to fundamentally alter the properties of emulsions. In particular, we investigate the role of surface structuring in the emulsification and catastrophic phase inversion of Pickering emulsions. To gain deeper fundamental insights into this topic, we fabricate in a controlled and simple manner patchy rough particles with a polystyrene core and organosilicate asperities. As a consequence of the synthesis, the surface roughness and chemical heterogeneity are coupled, namely the chemical heterogeneity is directly connected with the surface patchiness. The synthesis is robust, scalable and leads to the production of grams in less than a day. The geometrical roughness is characterized with AFM, while the chemical composition is extracted from oxidative mass loss upon combustion. Wetting studies are empirically carried out using a gel trapping technique and the results are compared with the theoretically derived contact angles of particles. Systematic variations in the emulsification shear rate, oil/water ratio and particle type reveal the influence of particle heterogeneity on the formation and formulation of emulsions. This work paves the way for a deeper understanding of the behavior of Pickering emulsions, where non-ideal, heterogeneous particles are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M H Weijgertze
- Van't Hoff Laboratory for Physical and Colloid Chemistry, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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11
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Wang D, Zhu YL, Zhao Y, Li CY, Mukhopadhyay A, Sun ZY, Koynov K, Butt HJ. Brownian Diffusion of Individual Janus Nanoparticles at Water/Oil Interfaces. ACS NANO 2020; 14:10095-10103. [PMID: 32662990 PMCID: PMC7458482 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c03291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Janus nanoparticles could exhibit a higher interfacial activity and adsorb stronger to fluid interfaces than homogeneous nanoparticles of similar sizes. However, little is known about the interfacial diffusion of Janus nanoparticles and how it compares to that of homogeneous ones. Here, we employed fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to study the lateral diffusion of ligand-grafted Janus nanoparticles adsorbed at water/oil interfaces. We found that the diffusion was significantly slower than that of homogeneous nanoparticles. We carried out dissipative particle dynamic simulations to study the mechanism of interfacial slowdown. Good agreement between experimental and simulation results has been obtained only provided that the flexibility of ligands grafted on the nanoparticle surface was taken into account. The polymeric ligands were deformed and oriented at an interface so that the effective radius of Janus nanoparticles is larger than the nominal one obtained by measuring the diffusion in bulk solution. These findings highlight further the critical importance of the ligands grafted on Janus nanoparticles for applications involving nanoparticle adsorption at an interface, such as oil recovery or two-dimensional self-assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dapeng Wang
- State
Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, People’s Republic of China
- Max
Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - You-Liang Zhu
- State
Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuehua Zhao
- State
Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, People’s Republic of China
| | - Christopher Y. Li
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel
University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Ashis Mukhopadhyay
- Department
of Physics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Zhao-Yan Sun
- State
Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kaloian Koynov
- Max
Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Butt
- Max
Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
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12
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Self-templating assembly of soft microparticles into complex tessellations. Nature 2020; 582:219-224. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2341-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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13
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Oberdisse J, Hellweg T. Recent advances in stimuli-responsive core-shell microgel particles: synthesis, characterisation, and applications. Colloid Polym Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00396-020-04629-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AbstractInspired by the path followed by Matthias Ballauff over the past 20 years, the development of thermosensitive core-shell microgel structures is reviewed. Different chemical structures, from hard nanoparticle cores to double stimuli-responsive microgels have been devised and successfully implemented by many different groups. Some of the rich variety of these systems is presented, as well as some recent progress in structural analysis of such microstructures by small-angle scattering of neutrons or X-rays, including modelling approaches. In the last part, again following early work by the group of Matthias Ballauff, applications with particular emphasis on incorporation of catalytic nanoparticles inside core-shell structures—stabilising the nanoparticles and granting external control over activity—will be discussed, as well as core-shell microgels at interfaces.
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14
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Rey M, Fernandez-Rodriguez MA, Karg M, Isa L, Vogel N. Poly- N-isopropylacrylamide Nanogels and Microgels at Fluid Interfaces. Acc Chem Res 2020; 53:414-424. [PMID: 31940173 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The confinement of colloidal particles at liquid interfaces offers many opportunities for materials design. Adsorption is driven by a reduction of the total free energy as the contact area between the two liquids is partially replaced by the particle. From an application point of view, particle-stabilized interfaces form emulsions and foams with superior stability. Liquid interfaces also effectively confine colloidal particles in two dimensions and therefore provide ideal model systems to fundamentally study particle interactions, dynamics, and self-assembly. With progress in the synthesis of nanomaterials, more and more complex and functional particles are available for such studies. In this Account, we focus on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanogels and microgels. These are cross-linked polymeric particles that swell and soften by uptaking large amounts of water. The incorporated water can be partially expelled, causing a volume phase transition into a collapsed state when the temperature is increased above approximately 32 °C. Soft microgels adsorbed to liquid interfaces significantly deform under the influence of interfacial tension and assume cross sections exceeding their bulk dimensions. In particular, a pronounced corona forms around the microgel core, consisting of dangling chains at the microgel periphery. These polymer chains expand at the interface and strongly affect the interparticle interactions. The particle deformability therefore leads to a significantly more complex interfacial phase behavior that provides a rich playground to explore structure formation processes. We first discuss the characteristic "fried-egg" or core-corona morphology of individual microgels adsorbed to a liquid interface and comment on the dependence of this interfacial morphology on their physicochemical properties. We introduce different theoretical models to describe their interfacial morphology. In a second part, we introduce how ensembles of microgels interact and self-assemble at liquid interfaces. The core-corona morphology and the possibility to force these elements into overlap upon compression results in a complex phase behavior with a phase transition between microgels with extended and collapsed coronae. We discuss the influence of the internal particle architecture, also including core-shell microgels with rigid cores, on the phase behavior. Finally, we present new routes for the realization of more complex structures, resulting from multiple deposition protocols and from engineering the interaction potential of the individual particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Rey
- Institute of Particle Technology (LFG), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstrasse 4, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Functional Particle Systems (FPS), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Haberstrasse 9a, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Miguel Angel Fernandez-Rodriguez
- Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Karg
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lucio Isa
- Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Vogel
- Institute of Particle Technology (LFG), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstrasse 4, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Functional Particle Systems (FPS), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Haberstrasse 9a, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
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15
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Mark A, Helfricht N, Rauh A, Karg M, Papastavrou G. The Next Generation of Colloidal Probes: A Universal Approach for Soft and Ultra-Small Particles. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2019; 15:e1902976. [PMID: 31544313 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201902976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The colloidal probe technique, which is based on the atomic force microscope, revolutionizes direct force measurements in many fields, such as interface science or biomechanics. It allows for the first time to determine interaction forces on the single particle or cell level. However, for many applications, important "blind spots" remain, namely, the possibility to probe interaction potentials for nanoparticles or complex colloids with a soft outer shell. Definitely, these are colloidal systems that are currently of major industrial importance and interest from theory. The here-presented novel approach allows for overcome the aforementioned limitations. Its applicability has been demonstrated for 300 nm sized carboxylate-modified latex particles as well as sub-micron core-shell particles with a soft poly-N-isopropylacrylamide hydrogel shell and a rigid silica core. For the latter, which until now cannot be studied by the colloidal probe technique, determined is the temperature dependency of electrosteric and adhesion forces has been determined on the single particle level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Mark
- Physical Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Nicolas Helfricht
- Physical Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
- Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Astrid Rauh
- Department of Physical Chemistry I, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstr. 1, 40204, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Matthias Karg
- Department of Physical Chemistry I, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstr. 1, 40204, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Georg Papastavrou
- Physical Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
- Bavarian Polymer Institute, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
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16
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Karg M, Pich A, Hellweg T, Hoare T, Lyon LA, Crassous JJ, Suzuki D, Gumerov RA, Schneider S, Potemkin II, Richtering W. Nanogels and Microgels: From Model Colloids to Applications, Recent Developments, and Future Trends. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:6231-6255. [PMID: 30998365 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b04304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 374] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Nanogels and microgels are soft, deformable, and penetrable objects with an internal gel-like structure that is swollen by the dispersing solvent. Their softness and the potential to respond to external stimuli like temperature, pressure, pH, ionic strength, and different analytes make them interesting as soft model systems in fundamental research as well as for a broad range of applications, in particular in the field of biological applications. Recent tremendous developments in their synthesis open access to systems with complex architectures and compositions allowing for tailoring microgels with specific properties. At the same time state-of-the-art theoretical and simulation approaches offer deeper understanding of the behavior and structure of nano- and microgels under external influences and confinement at interfaces or at high volume fractions. Developments in the experimental analysis of nano- and microgels have become particularly important for structural investigations covering a broad range of length scales relevant to the internal structure, the overall size and shape, and interparticle interactions in concentrated samples. Here we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art, recent developments as well as emerging trends in the field of nano- and microgels. The following aspects build the focus of our discussion: tailoring (multi)functionality through synthesis; the role in biological and biomedical applications; the structure and properties as a model system, e.g., for densely packed arrangements in bulk and at interfaces; as well as the theory and computer simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Karg
- Physical Chemistry I , Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf , 40204 Duesseldorf , Germany
| | - Andrij Pich
- DWI-Leibnitz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V. , 52056 Aachen , Germany
- Functional and Interactive Polymers, Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry , RWTH Aachen University , 52056 Aachen , Germany
| | - Thomas Hellweg
- Physical and Biophysical Chemistry , Bielefeld University , 33615 Bielefeld , Germany
| | - Todd Hoare
- Department of Chemical Engineering , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario L8S 4L8 , Canada
| | - L Andrew Lyon
- Schmid College of Science and Technology , Chapman University , Orange , California 92866 , United States
| | - J J Crassous
- Institute of Physical Chemistry , RWTH Aachen University , 52056 Aachen , Germany
| | | | - Rustam A Gumerov
- DWI-Leibnitz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V. , 52056 Aachen , Germany
- Physics Department , Lomonosov Moscow State University , Moscow 119991 , Russian Federation
| | - Stefanie Schneider
- Institute of Physical Chemistry , RWTH Aachen University , 52056 Aachen , Germany
| | - Igor I Potemkin
- DWI-Leibnitz-Institute for Interactive Materials e.V. , 52056 Aachen , Germany
- Physics Department , Lomonosov Moscow State University , Moscow 119991 , Russian Federation
- National Research South Ural State University , Chelyabinsk 454080 , Russian Federation
| | - Walter Richtering
- Institute of Physical Chemistry , RWTH Aachen University , 52056 Aachen , Germany
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17
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Camerin F, Fernández-Rodríguez MÁ, Rovigatti L, Antonopoulou MN, Gnan N, Ninarello A, Isa L, Zaccarelli E. Microgels Adsorbed at Liquid-Liquid Interfaces: A Joint Numerical and Experimental Study. ACS NANO 2019; 13:4548-4559. [PMID: 30865829 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b00390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Soft particles display highly versatile properties with respect to hard colloids and even more so at fluid-fluid interfaces. In particular, microgels, consisting of a cross-linked polymer network, are able to deform and flatten upon adsorption at the interface due to the balance between surface tension and internal elasticity. Despite the existence of experimental results, a detailed theoretical understanding of this phenomenon is still lacking due to the absence of appropriate microscopic models. In this work, we propose an advanced modeling of microgels at a flat water/oil interface. The model builds on a realistic description of the internal polymeric architecture and single-particle properties of the microgel and is able to reproduce its experimentally observed shape at the interface. Complementing molecular dynamics simulations with in situ cryo-electron microscopy experiments and atomic force microscopy imaging after Langmuir-Blodgett deposition, we compare the morphology of the microgels for different values of the cross-linking ratios. Our model allows for a systematic microscopic investigation of soft particles at fluid interfaces, which is essential to develop predictive power for the use of microgels in a broad range of applications, including the stabilization of smart emulsions and the versatile patterning of surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Camerin
- CNR Institute for Complex Systems, Uos Sapienza , Piazzale Aldo Moro 2 , 00185 Roma , Italy
- Department of Basic and Applied Sciences for Engineering , Sapienza University of Rome , Via Antonio Scarpa 14 , 00161 Roma , Italy
| | - Miguel Ángel Fernández-Rodríguez
- Laboratory for Interfaces, Soft Matter and Assembly, Department of Materials , ETH Zürich , Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5 , 8093 Zürich , Switzerland
| | - Lorenzo Rovigatti
- CNR Institute for Complex Systems, Uos Sapienza , Piazzale Aldo Moro 2 , 00185 Roma , Italy
- Department of Physics , Sapienza University of Rome , Piazzale Aldo Moro 2 , 00185 Roma , Italy
| | - Maria-Nefeli Antonopoulou
- Laboratory for Interfaces, Soft Matter and Assembly, Department of Materials , ETH Zürich , Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5 , 8093 Zürich , Switzerland
| | - Nicoletta Gnan
- CNR Institute for Complex Systems, Uos Sapienza , Piazzale Aldo Moro 2 , 00185 Roma , Italy
- Department of Physics , Sapienza University of Rome , Piazzale Aldo Moro 2 , 00185 Roma , Italy
| | - Andrea Ninarello
- CNR Institute for Complex Systems, Uos Sapienza , Piazzale Aldo Moro 2 , 00185 Roma , Italy
- Department of Physics , Sapienza University of Rome , Piazzale Aldo Moro 2 , 00185 Roma , Italy
| | - Lucio Isa
- Laboratory for Interfaces, Soft Matter and Assembly, Department of Materials , ETH Zürich , Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5 , 8093 Zürich , Switzerland
| | - Emanuela Zaccarelli
- CNR Institute for Complex Systems, Uos Sapienza , Piazzale Aldo Moro 2 , 00185 Roma , Italy
- Department of Physics , Sapienza University of Rome , Piazzale Aldo Moro 2 , 00185 Roma , Italy
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18
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Volk K, Deißenbeck F, Mandal S, Löwen H, Karg M. Moiré and honeycomb lattices through self-assembly of hard-core/soft-shell microgels: experiment and simulation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:19153-19162. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cp03116b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Moiré and honeycomb lattices result from the sequential double deposition of monolayers of core/shell microgels in dependence of the drying conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Volk
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
- D-40225 Düsseldorf
- Germany
| | - Florian Deißenbeck
- Institut für Theoretische Physik II: Weiche Materie
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
- D-40225 Düsseldorf
- Germany
| | - Suvendu Mandal
- Institut für Theoretische Physik II: Weiche Materie
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
- D-40225 Düsseldorf
- Germany
| | - Hartmut Löwen
- Institut für Theoretische Physik II: Weiche Materie
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
- D-40225 Düsseldorf
- Germany
| | - Matthias Karg
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie I: Kolloide und Nanooptik
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
- D-40225 Düsseldorf
- Germany
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