Langmuir Monolayers of Monodispersed Magnetic Nanoparticles Coated with a Surfactant

Mechanism of the Decrease in Surface Tension by Bulk Nanobubbles (Ultrafine Bubbles)

The mechanism of the decrease in the surface tension of water containing bulk nanobubbles (ultrafine bubbles) is studied theoretically by numerical simulations of the adsorption of bulk nanobubbles at the liquid's surface based on the dynamic equilibrium model for the stability of a bulk nanobubble under the conditions of the Tuziuti experiment (Tuziuti, T., et al., Langmuir, 2023, 39, 5771-5778). It is predicted that the concentration of bulk nanobubbles in the bulk liquid decreases considerably with time, as many bulk nanobubbles are gradually adsorbed at the liquid's surface. A part of the decrease in surface tension is due to the Janus-like structure of a bulk nanobubble that could partly break the hydrogen bond network of water molecules at the liquid's surface because more than 50% of the bubble's surface is covered with hydrophobic impurities, according to the dynamic equilibrium model. The theoretically estimated decrease in surface tension due to the Janus-like structure of a bulk nanobubble agrees with the experimental data of the decrease in surface tension solely by bulk nanobubbles obtained by the comparison of before and after the elimination of bulk nanobubbles by the freeze-thaw process. This effect cannot be explained by the electric charge stabilization model widely discussed for the stability of a bulk nanobubble, although the present model is only applicable to the solution containing hydrophobic impurities. Another part of the decrease in surface tension should be due to impurities produced from a nanobubble generator, such as a mechanical seal, which was partly confirmed by the TOC measurements.

Surface mechanical behavior of water-spread poly(styrene)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PS-PEG) micelles at the air-water interface: Effect of micelle size and polymer end/linking group chemistry

HYPOTHESIS

The surface mechanical properties of poly(styrene)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PS-PEG) micelles are influenced by the PEG corona structure. Changes in micelle aggregation number as well as changes in the PEG end group and linking group chemistry of the PS-PEG block copolymer are expected to alter PEG corona characteristics and therefore affect surface mechanical properties of the resulting micelle film.

EXPERIMENTS

Different sized micelles comprised of PS-PEG block copolymer chains were formulated by equilibrating micelles in different ratios of acetone/water mixtures and subsequently removing acetone using dialysis. Additionally, micelles of a similar size and PS-PEG molecular weight but slightly different chemistry were formulated. The micelles were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ¹H NMR, surface pressure-area isotherms and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM).

FINDINGS

The reduction in micelle aggregation number results in the subsequent monolayer having higher compressibility moduli and bending stiffnesses and collapsing at lower surface pressures. Micelle hydrophobicity was shown to improve readsorption of micelles to interface after collapse. Analysis of Brewster angle microscopy images of out-of-plane wrinkle structures which formed upon monolayer collapse indicates the presence of continuous 1 nm thick PEG layer which allows micelle monolayers to bend under high compression.

Janus Particles at Fluid Interfaces: Stability and Interfacial Rheology

The use of the Janus motif in colloidal particles, i.e., anisotropic surface properties on opposite faces, has gained significant attention in the bottom-up assembly of novel functional structures, design of active nanomotors, biological sensing and imaging, and polymer blend compatibilization. This review is focused on the behavior of Janus particles in interfacial systems, such as particle-stabilized (i.e., Pickering) emulsions and foams, where stabilization is achieved through the binding of particles to fluid interfaces. In many such applications, the interface could be subjected to deformations, producing compression and shear stresses. Besides the physicochemical properties of the particle, their behavior under flow will also impact the performance of the resulting system. This review article provides a synopsis of interfacial stability and rheology in particle-laden interfaces to highlight the role of the Janus motif, and how particle anisotropy affects interfacial mechanics.

Structural Properties and Magnetic Ordering in 2D Polymer Nanocomposites: Existence of Long Magnetic Dipolar Chains in Zero Field

The existence of magnetic dipolar nanoparticle chains at zero field has been predicted theoretically for decades, but these structures are rarely observed experimentally. A prerequisite is a permanent magnetic moment on the particles forming the chain. Here we report on the observation of magnetic dipolar chains of spherical iron oxide nanoparticles with a diameter of 12.8 nm. The nanoparticles are embedded in an ultrathin polymer film. Due to the high viscosity of the polymer matrix, the dominating aggregation mechanism is driven by dipolar interactions. Smaller iron oxide nanoparticles (8 nm) show no permanent magnetic moment and do not form chains but compact aggregates. Mixed monolayers of iron oxide nanoparticles and polymer at the air-water interface are characterized by Langmuir isotherms and in situ X-ray reflectometry (XRR). The combination of the particles with a polymer leads to a stable polymer nanocomposite film at the air-water interface. XRR experiments show that nanoparticles are immersed in a thin polymer matrix of 2 nm. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM) on Langmuir-Blodgett films, we measure the lateral distribution of particles in the film. An analysis of single structures within transferred films results in fractal dimensions that are in excellent agreement with 2D simulations.

Magnetic Field-Induced Assembly of Superparamagnetic Cobalt Nanoparticles on Substrates and at Liquid-Air Interface

Superparamagnetic cobalt nanoparticles (Co NPs) are an interesting material for self-assembly processes because of their magnetic properties. We investigated the magnetic field-induced assembly of superparamagnetic cobalt nanoparticles and compared three different approaches, namely, the assembly on solid substrates, at water-air, and ethylene glycol-air interfaces. Oleic acid- and trioctylphosphine oxide-coated Co NPs were synthesized via a thermolysis of cobalt carbonyl and dispersed into either hexane or toluene. The Co NP dispersion was dropped onto different substrates (e.g., transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grid, silicon wafer) and onto liquid surfaces. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning force microscopy, optical microscopy, as well as scanning electron microscopy showed that superparamagnetic Co NPs assembled into one-dimensional chains in an external magnetic field. By varying the concentration of the Co NP dispersion (1-5 mg/mL) and the strength of the magnetic field (4-54 mT), the morphology of the chains changed. Short, thin, and flexible chain structures were obtained at low NP concentration and low strength of magnetic field, whereas they became long, thick and straight when the NP concentration and the magnetic field strength increased. In comparison, the assembly of Co NPs from hexane dispersion at ethylene glycol-air interface showed the most regular and homogeneous alignment, since a more efficient spreading could be achieved on ethylene glycol than on water and solid substrates.

ROLE OF NÉEL AND BROWNIAN RELAXATION MECHANISMS FOR WATER-BASED Fe3O4 NANOPARTICLE FERROFLUIDS IN HYPERTHERMIA

Hydrophilic Fe3O4 nanoparticles with a mean diameter size of 15 nm were synthesized by means of the direct reduction of FeCl3 and FeCl2 in an aqueous solution. The heating properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles under an alternating magnetic field were investigated in a frequency range of 50–500 kHz and a magnitude range of 3.1–5.0 kA/m. To distinguish the roles of Néel and Brownian relaxation mechanisms, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and water were employed as a medium, in which PDMS plays a significant role of eliminating the effect of Brownian relaxation. It is experimentally and theoretically confirmed that, for the Fe3O4 /water system, high-specific absorption rates are due to a combination of both mechanisms, with an enhanced contribution due to Néel relaxation with increasing frequency and magnitude of the alternating electromagnetic field. The contribution efficiency of Néel relaxation increases from 36–56% by increasing the electromagnetic field frequency from 50–300 kHz, and then retains a saturated value of ~ 56% at 300–500 kHz. Moreover, a linear increase of the contribution efficiency of Néel relaxation at 300 kHz was observed from 55–65% by increasing the magnitude of electromagnetic field at 3.1–5.0 kA/m. The current research can be widely-expanded to explain the electromagnetic heating effect of other ferrofluid systems.

CoFe2O4-TiO2 and CoFe2O4-ZnO thin film nanostructures elaborated from colloidal chemistry and atomic layer deposition

CoFe(2)O(4)-TiO(2) and CoFe(2)O(4)-ZnO nanoparticles/film composites were prepared from directed assembly of colloidal CoFe(2)O(4) in a Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer and atomic layer deposition (ALD) of an oxide (TiO(2) or ZnO). The combination of these two methods permits the use of well-defined nanoparticles from colloidal chemistry, their assembly on a large scale, and the control over the interface between a ferrimagnetic material (CoFe(2)O(4)) and a semiconductor (TiO(2) or ZnO). Using this approach, architectures can be assembled with a precise control from the Angstrom scale (ALD) to the micrometer scale (Langmuir-Blodgett film). The resulting heterostructures present well-calibrated thicknesses. Electron microscopy and magnetic measurement studies give evidence that the size of the nanoparticles and their intrinsic magnetic properties are not altered by the various steps involved in the synthesis process. Therefore, the approach is suitable to obtain a layered composite with a quasi-monodisperse layer of ferrimagnetic nanoparticles embedded in an ultrathin film of semiconducting material.

Patterns of gold nanoparticles formed at the air/water interface: effects of capping agents

Gold nanoparticles stabilized with different capping agents were synthesized in a two-phase liquid-liquid system and found to self-assemble into various patterns at the air/water interface. The shapes of the patterns are closely related to the molecule structures of the capping agents. Systems with mixed capping agents were also investigated, and honeycomb patterns can be obtained in this way. T-shape and H-shape patterns were also observed. A possible mechanism based on Marangoni-Benard convection in evaporating droplets is proposed.

Cobalt nanoparticle Langmuir-Schaefer films on ethylene glycol subphase

The Langmuir-Schaefer (LS) technique was applied to prepare two-dimensional films of tridodecylamine (TDA)-stabilized Co nanoparticles. Ethylene glycol was used as the subphase because the Co nanoparticles spread better on it than on water. Surface pressure-area isotherms provided very little information on the floating films, and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) was needed to characterize the film formation in situ. In addition to the subphase, various other experimental factors were tested in the LS film preparation, including solvent and presence of free TDA ligands and poly(styrene-b-ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) in the nanoparticle dispersion. LS films deposited from dispersions from which the excess TDA ligands had been removed by washing the Co nanoparticles with 2-propanol consisted of hexagonally organized particles in rafts that were organized in necklace structures. The addition of PS-b-PEO to the deposition dispersion resulted in small nanoparticle rafts evenly distributed over the substrate surface. The best Co-nanoparticle-PS-b-PEO films were obtained with a mass ratio of 20:1 between Co (9 nm) and block copolymer (38 200 g/mol, PEO content 22 mass %). These films were successfully transferred onto Formvar-coated TEM grids and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. At room temperature the films showed superparamagnetic behavior with a saturation magnetization M(s) of 100 emu/g (Co). Our work indicates that it is possible to obtain thin superparamagnetic LS films of TDA-stabilized Co nanoparticles. This is an important result as the TDA-stabilized Co nanoparticles show a very good resistance to corrosion.

Chiral ionic liquid monolayer-stabilized gold nanoparticles: synthesis, self-assembly, and application to SERS

Chiral ionic liquid monolayer-stabilized gold nanoparticles were synthesized in a two-phase liquid-liquid system and found to self-assemble into ringlike structures at the air/water interface. Control experiments with long-chain ILs revealed that the molecular structure of the CIL significantly affects the formation of the gold nanoparticle ring structures. A possible mechanism based on Marangoni-Bénard convection in evaporating droplets was proposed. These gold nanoparticle structures were shown to yield a large SERS enhancement for Rhodamine 6G.

Effect of particle hydrophobicity on the properties of silica particle layers at the air-water interface

This article describes a study of fumed silica particle layers adsorbed at the air-water interface. We have performed surface pressure, ellipsometry, and Brewster angle microscopy measurements. These determinations were complemented by surface viscoelasticity studies, using capillary waves to measure the compression moduli and an oscillating disc to measure the shear moduli. Our results show a strong influence of the particle hydrophobicity and surface density on the properties of the layers. Under compression-expansion, the particle layers rearrange quasi-instantaneously, and at high density, they buckle and/or collapse. Shear measurements show a transition from viscous to elastic behavior for particles with contact angles close to 90 degrees. The surface compression moduli are quite small and most likely not related to the stability of the foams made with these particles, in contrast to the case of more common surfactant foams.

Nanoparticles at fluid interfaces

Nanoparticles at fluid interfaces are becoming a central topic in colloid science studies. Unlike in the case of colloids in suspensions, the description of the forces determining the physical behavior of colloids at interfaces still represents an outstanding problem in the modern theory of colloidal interactions. These forces regulate the formation of complex two-dimensional structures, which can be exploited in a number of applications of technological interest; optical devices, catalysis, molecular electronics or emulsions stabilization. From a fundamental viewpoint and typical for colloidal systems, nanoparticles and microparticles at interfaces are ideal experimental and theoretical models for investigating questions of relevance in condensed matter physics, such as the phase behavior of two-dimensional fluids. This review is a topical survey of the stability, self-assembly behavior and mutual interactions of nanoparticles at fluid interfaces. Thermodynamic models offer an intuitive approach to explaining the interfacial stability of nanoparticles in terms of a few material properties, such as the surface and line tensions. A critical discussion of the theoretical basis, accuracy, limitations, and recent predictions of the thermodynamic models is provided. We also review recent work concerned with nanoparticle self-assembly at fluid interfaces. Complex two-dimensional structures varying considerably with the particle nature have been observed in a number of experiments. We discuss the self-assembly behavior in terms of nanoparticle composition, focusing on sterically stabilized, charged and magnetic nanoparticles. The structure of the two-dimensional assemblies is a reflection of complex intercolloidal forces. Unlike the case for bulk colloidal suspensions, which often can be described reasonably well using DLVO (Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek) theory, the description of particles at interfaces requires the consideration of interfacial deformations as well as interfacial thermal fluctuations. We analyze the importance of both deformation and fluctuations, as well as the modification of electrostatic and van der Waals interactions. Finally, we discuss possible future directions in the field of nanoparticles at interfaces.

Side-chain effect on Langmuir and Langmuir–Blodgett film properties of poly(N-alkylmethacrylamide)-coated magnetic nanoparticle

We report the fabrication of a Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film of magnetic nanoparticles (iron oxide) coated by poly(N-alkylmethacrylamide)s with various alkyl chain lengths. The iron oxide nanoparticle (nP) was first modified with a reactive polymer, poly(N-hydroxysuccinimide methacrylate) (pSucMA) by applying surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique. Then the succinimide group was replaced by various amine derivatives. The monolayer behaviors of the resultant nanoparticles, as modified by various poly(N-alkylmethacrylamide)s, such as poly(octylmethacrylamide) (pOMA), poly(dodecylmethacrylamide) (pDDMA), polytetradecylmethacrylamide (pTDMA), and poly(hexadecylmethacrylamide) (pHDMA) were elucidated using surface pressure-area isotherm measurements. Results show that pTDMA-modified nanoparticles (nP-pTDMA) exhibit the highest collapse pressure with a steeply rising surface pressure. The monolayer of nP-pTDMA on the water surface was transferred onto a solid substrate using the LB technique. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of the transferred LB film show that nP-pTDMA particles form a uniform nanoparticle monolayer. The LB film of nP-pTDMA with multilayers was fabricated through sequential transfer of the particles monolayer onto the substrate surface. The resultant LB film of nanoparticles shows a superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature.

Composite interfacial layers containing micro-size and nano-size particles

Surface layers of micro- and nanoparticles at fluid/liquid interfaces in absence and presence of surfactants are of large importance in the process of re-discovering Pickering systems, i.e. emulsions and foams stabilized by particles. The surface pressure/area isotherms of such layers can provide information about the properties of the used particles (dimensions, interfacial contact angles), the structure of interfacial layers, the interactions between the particles as well as about relaxation processes within the layers. For a correct description of Pi-A isotherms of composite surface layers containing particles the significant difference in size of these particles to that of solvent and surfactant molecules should be taken into account. Corresponding equations can be derived on the basis of the two-dimensional solution theory. The gained equations provide satisfactory agreement with experimental data and predict realistic values for the area of particles at the interface. Also equations of state and of the dilational elasticity for composite surface layers containing particles can be obtained in the framework of the presented methodology.

Surface-pressure isotherms of monolayers formed by microsize and nanosize particles

The thermodynamic model of a 2D solution developed earlier for protein monolayers at liquid interfaces is generalized for monolayers composed of micro- and nanoparticles. Surface pressure isotherms of particle monolayers published in the literature for a wide range of particles sizes (between 75 microm and 7.5 nm) are described by the theoretical model with one modification. The calculations of surface pressure pi on area A provide satisfactory agreement with the experimental data. The theory also yields reasonable cross-sectional area values of the solvent molecule water in the range between 0.12 and 0.18 nm2, which is almost independent of particle size. Also, the area per particle in a closely packed monolayer obtained from the theory is quite realistic.

Interfacially formed organized planar inorganic, polymeric and composite nanostructures

This paper discusses synthetic strategies for fabrication of new organized planar inorganic, polymeric, composite and bio-inorganic nanostructures by methods based on chemical reactions and physical interactions at the gas-liquid interface, Langmuir monolayer technique, interfacial ligand exchange and substitution reactions, self-assembling and self-organization processes, DNA templating and scaffolding. Stable reproducible planar assemblies of ligand-stabilized molecular nanoclusters containing definite number of atoms have been formed on solid substrate surfaces via preparation and deposition of mixed Langmuir monolayers composed by nanocluster and surfactant molecules. A novel approach to synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles and to formation of self-organized planar inorganic nanostructures has been introduced. In that approach, nanoparticles and nanostructures are fabricated via decomposition of insoluble metal-organic precursor compounds in a layer at the gas-liquid interface. The ultimately thin and anisotropic dynamic monomolecular reaction system was realized in that approach with quasi-two-dimensional growth and organization of nanoparticles and nanostructures in the plain of Langmuir monolayer. Photochemical and redox reactions were used to initiate processes of interfacial nucleation and growth of inorganic phase. It has been demonstrated that morphology of resulting inorganic nanostructures can be controlled efficiently by variations of growth conditions via changes in state and composition of interfacial planar reaction media, and by variations of composition of adjacent bulk phases. Planar arrays and chains of iron oxide and ultrasmall noble metal (Au and Pd) nanoparticles, nanowires and new organized planar disk, ring, net-like, labyrinth and very high-surface area nanostructures were obtained by methods based on that approach. Highly organized monomolecular polymeric films on solid substrates were obtained via deposition of Langmuir monolayer formed by water-insoluble amphiphilic polycation molecules. Corresponding nanoscale-ordered planar polymeric nanocomposite films with incorporated ligand-stabilized molecular metallic nanoclusters and interfacially grown nanoparticles were fabricated successfully. Novel planar DNA complexes with amphiphilic polycation monolayer were formed at the gas-aqueous phase interface and then deposited on solid substrates. Toroidal and new net-like conformations were discovered in those complexes. Nanoscale supramolecular organization of the complexes was dependent on cationic amphiphile monolayer state during the DNA binding. These monolayer and multilayer DNA/amphiphilic polycation complex Langmuir-Blodgett films were used as templates and nanoreactors for generation of inorganic nanostructures via metal cation binding with DNA and following inorganic phase growth reactions. As a result, ultrathin polymeric nanocomposite films with integrated DNA building blocks and organized inorganic semiconductor (CdS) and iron oxide quasi-linear nanostructures were formed. It has been demonstrated that interaction of deposited planar DNA/amphiphilic polycation complexes with bulk phase colloid inorganic cationic ligands (CdSe nano-rods) can result in formation of new highly organized hybrid bio-inorganic nanostructures via interfacial ligand exchange and self-organization processes. The methods developed can be useful for investigation of fundamental mechanisms of nanoscale structural organization and transformation processes in various inorganic and molecular systems including bio-molecular and bio-inorganic nanostructures. Also, those methods are relatively simple, environmentally safe and thus could prove to be efficient practical instruments of molecular nanotechnology with potential of design and cost-effective fabrication of new controlled-morphology organized planar inorganic and composite nanostructured materials. Possible applications of obtained nanostructures and future developments are also discussed.

Synthesis of aqueous Au core-Ag shell nanoparticles using tyrosine as a pH-dependent reducing agent and assembling phase-transferred silver nanoparticles at the air-water interface

We demonstrate that the amino acid tyrosine is an excellent reducing agent under alkaline conditions and may be used to reduce Ag+ ions to synthesize stable silver nanoparticles in water. The tyrosine-reduced silver nanoparticles may be separated out as a powder that is readily redispersible in water. The silver ion reduction at high pH occurs due to ionization of the phenolic group in tyrosine that is then capable of reducing Ag+ ions and is in turn converted to a semi-quinone structure. These silver nanoparticles can easily be transferred to chloroform containing the cationic surfactant octadecylamine by an electrostatic complexation process. The now hydrophobic silver nanoparticles may be spread on the surface of water and assembled into highly ordered, linear superstructures that could be transferred as multilayers onto suitable supports by the versatile Langmuir-Blodgett technique. Further, tyrosine molecules bound to the surface of Au nanoparticles through amine groups in the amino acid may be used to selectively reduce silver ions at high pH on the surface of the Au nanoparticles, thus leading to a simple strategy for realizing phase-pure Au core-Ag shell nanostructures.

Dipolar-interaction-induced fractal pattern formation in magnetic multilayers

Models concerning particle diffusion and aggregation have been proposed for decades, and the aggregations with long-range dipolar interaction are simulated and analyzed numerically. In this paper, fractal clusters composed of particles diffusing with dipolar interaction are observed, and a model taking both magnetic force and diffusion activation energy into account is presented. The computer-simulation results generate clusters similar to those observed. And the measured sizes and dimensions of the experimental results are close to that of simulation. Further investigations on the magnetic energy and cluster size reveal that the dipolar interaction and thermal disruption play significant roles in the aggregation of nanosize magnetic particles and the interaction energy is the main driving force of the formation of the ordered structure.