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Fabrication, Operation and Flow Visualization in Surface-acoustic-wave-driven Acoustic-counterflow Microfluidics
Published on: August 27, 2013
Marangoni flow of Ag nanoparticles from the fluid-fluid interface
Donald D Johnson1, Barry Kang, John L Vigorita
1Department of Chemistry, Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, California 90041, USA.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. A
|September 11, 2008
Summary
Silver nanoparticles in a film spontaneously climb glass vials, driven by fluid flow from interfacial tension gradients. This Marangoni effect, influenced by surfactant concentration, offers new methods for nanostructure assembly on surfaces.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Fluid flow phenomena, such as Marangoni flow, are driven by interfacial tension gradients.
- Nanoparticles at liquid-liquid interfaces can form films and exhibit complex behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate fluid flow induced by interfacial tension gradients involving silver nanoparticles.
- To explore the spontaneous movement of nanoparticle-laden films on surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Mixing passivated silver nanoparticles in chloroform with an acidified water/ethanol mixture.
- Observing and recording nanoparticle film movement using a digital video recorder.
- Analyzing film front distance versus time to extract parameters.
Main Results:
- A nanoparticle-embedded film spontaneously climbed the interior surface of a glass vial.
- The observed mass transfer was dependent on surfactant concentration and water fraction.
- An effective desorption rate constant for the Marangoni flow was measured (0.01–1 s⁻¹).
Conclusions:
- Interfacial tension gradients can drive significant fluid flow and nanoparticle assembly.
- The findings suggest potential applications in transferring nanostructure assemblies to solid surfaces.
- Purposeful creation of interfacial tension gradients may facilitate the development of 2D and 3D nanostructure assemblies.
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