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Liquid-cell Transmission Electron Microscopy for Tracking Self-assembly of Nanoparticles
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Solvent-Mediated Forces between Ellipsoidal Nanoparticles Adsorbed at Liquid-Vapor Interfaces
Olav Galteland1, Fernando Bresme2, Bjørn Hafskjold1
1Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim 7491, Norway.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|November 25, 2020
Summary
Interactions between nanoparticles are dominated by solvent forces, not capillary forces. Ellipsoidal nanoparticles at liquid-vapor interfaces experience stronger repulsion due to negative line tension.
Area of Science:
- Colloid and surface science
- Nanoparticle interactions
- Interfacial phenomena
Background:
- Ellipsoidal nanoparticles at liquid-vapor interfaces deform the interface, creating anisotropic capillary forces.
- These forces influence particle interactions, leading to directionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate near-field interactions between nanoparticles (1-5 nm).
- Quantify the contribution of solvent-mediated forces versus capillary forces.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical investigation of nanoparticle interactions.
- Analysis of solvent packing and direct nanoparticle-nanoparticle interactions.
Main Results:
- Solvent-mediated forces are two orders of magnitude larger than capillary forces.
- Interacting ellipsoidal nanoparticles show greater repulsion at the liquid-vapor interface compared to bulk phases.
- This enhanced repulsion is attributed to negative line tension at the three-phase line.
Conclusions:
- Solvent-mediated forces are the primary drivers of nanoparticle interactions at interfaces.
- Negative line tension significantly impacts nanoparticle behavior at the liquid-vapor interface.
- Findings challenge classical capillary theory's dominance in predicting nanoparticle interactions.
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