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Flash NanoPrecipitation for the Encapsulation of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Compounds in Polymeric Nanoparticles
Published on: January 7, 2019
Nanoparticle stability from the nano to the meso interval.
Alvaro Mayoral1, Hector Barron, Ruben Estrada-Salas
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA.
Nanoscale
|July 21, 2010
Summary
This review explores nanoparticle stability, challenging classical theories that predict specific structures based on size. It examines mechanisms stabilizing icosahedral, decahedral, and face-centered-cubic (FCC) nanoparticle structures beyond predicted size limits.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Nanoparticles are fundamental to nanotechnology, but their crystal structure and shape stability remain incompletely understood.
- Classical theories predict specific stable structures (icosahedral, decahedral, FCC) based on nanoparticle size.
- Experimental observations often contradict these size-dependent stability predictions, with structures appearing outside expected size ranges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review proposed mechanisms explaining nanoparticle stabilization.
- To address discrepancies between theoretical predictions and experimental findings regarding nanoparticle structure and size.
- To explore the interrelationships between various nanoparticle stabilization mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of theoretical and experimental studies on nanoparticle stability.
- Analysis of proposed mechanisms for stabilizing different nanoparticle structures (icosahedral, decahedral, FCC).
- Comparison of classical stability theories with observed nanoparticle morphologies across various size scales.
Main Results:
- Classical theories accurately predict stability for very small nanoparticles (<2 nm).
- Icosahedral and decahedral structures are experimentally observed in nanoparticles significantly larger than predicted (beyond 5 nm).
- Face-centered-cubic (FCC) structures are found in nanoparticles smaller than predicted (<1.5 nm).
Conclusions:
- Multiple interrelated mechanisms contribute to nanoparticle stabilization, complicating simple size-based predictions.
- Experimental evidence highlights the need for refined theories that account for factors beyond size in determining nanoparticle structure.
- Further research is required to disentangle the complex interplay of factors governing nanoparticle stability and morphology.
