Assembly of Submicron Sized Ag, Co, and Ni Particles Into Thin Films at Liquid/Liquid Interfaces

Submicron sized particles of Ag, Co and Ni were synthesised by reducing metal salts in ethylene glycol (EG) in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). These particles on dispersion in water when held in contact with a toluene layer were found to assemble into dense films extending over large areas at the interface between the two liquids. The effect of reaction conditions (solvent, precursor concentration, temperature) on the synthesis and assembly of the particles was studied. The characteristics of the interfacial deposits and the particulate dispersions were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS).