Exploring the 3D Conformation of Hard-Core Soft-Shell Particles Adsorbed at a Fluid Interface
Jacopo Vialetto1, Fabrizio Camerin2,3,4, Shivaprakash N Ramakrishna1
1Laboratory for Soft Materials and Interfaces, Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|August 4, 2023
Summary
Composite colloidal particles with hard cores and soft shells were studied. In situ atomic force microscopy revealed how core properties influence shell conformation at fluid interfaces, crucial for designing 2D materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Colloid Science
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Composite colloidal particles combine rigid cores with soft polymeric shells.
- These particles can adsorb at fluid interfaces, enabling the creation of 2D materials.
- Understanding single-particle conformation is key to controlling 2D assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interfacial morphology of hard-core soft-shell microgels.
- To elucidate the influence of core properties, shell thickness, and grafting density on particle conformation.
- To rationalize wetting behavior for designing tailored 2D materials.
Main Methods:
- In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments.
- Numerical simulations integrated with experimental data.
- Analysis of particle conformation at fluid interfaces.
Main Results:
- The hard core significantly influences the conformation of the soft polymer shell.
- Reduced shell thickness, low grafting density, or poor core hydrophilicity lead to increased core protrusion.
- Decreased in-plane stretching of the polymer network at the interface was observed under specific conditions.
Conclusions:
- The interfacial conformation of hard-core soft-shell microgels is tunable by core and shell properties.
- Wetting behavior can be rationalized to design particles for specific interfacial interactions.
- This work provides insights for fabricating advanced 2D materials and stabilizing interfaces.
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