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Quantitative 3D determination of self-assembled structures on nanoparticles using small angle neutron scattering
Zhi Luo1, Domenico Marson2, Quy K Ong1
1Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Nature Communications
|April 11, 2018
Summary
Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) with multiple contrasts quantitatively describes nanoparticle ligand shell morphology. This versatile method, combining SANS with multiphase modeling, characterizes ligand shells for various nanoparticles.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- The ligand shell (LS) significantly influences nanoparticle properties.
- Current methods offer only qualitative descriptions of mixed-molecule LS structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a quantitative method for describing nanoparticle ligand shell morphology.
- To utilize small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) for detailed LS structural analysis.
Main Methods:
- Employing SANS with multiple contrasts via ligand or solvent deuteration.
- Generating 3D models of nanoparticle cores and LS using ab initio reconstruction.
- Comparing extracted characteristic length scales with simulations.
Main Results:
- Quantitative description of ligand shell morphology achieved for monodisperse nanoparticles.
- Characterization of LS evolution upon thermal annealing.
- Investigation of mixed-ligand and ternary mixture nanoparticle LS structures.
Conclusions:
- SANS combined with multiphase modeling is a versatile approach for nanoparticle LS characterization.
- This method provides quantitative insights into complex ligand shell structures.
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