Thickening of liquids using copolymer grafted nanoparticles
Prama Adhya1, Sachin M B Gautham2,3, Tarak K Patra2,3
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur-721302, India. mkaushal@che.iitkgp.ac.in.
Soft Matter
|May 14, 2025
Summary
Surface-engineered nanoparticles can tune liquid flow properties. Grafted silica nanoparticles with polymer brushes alter viscosity by forming microstructures, offering new ways to optimize liquid formulations.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Fluid Dynamics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Controlling liquid flow behavior is crucial for many applications.
- Surface properties of nanoparticles dictate their interaction with liquid matrices.
- Existing methods for tuning liquid viscosity with nanoparticles have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize solvophilic surface-engineered nanoparticles.
- To investigate the impact of these nanoparticles on the rheological properties of distinct liquids.
- To elucidate the microstructural mechanisms responsible for viscosity changes.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of silylated polyether amine-modified silica nanoparticles with polymer brush structures.
- Rheological experiments to measure viscosity changes in silicone oil and polyethylene glycol.
- Coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) simulations to analyze nanoparticle behavior and microstructure formation.
Main Results:
- Grafted nanoparticles significantly altered the viscosity of both silicone oil and polyethylene glycol.
- Grafting density was found to influence the rheological properties.
- Simulations revealed diverse nanoparticle microstructures (aggregates, strings) that dictate viscosity.
- Copolymers with compatible moieties enhanced matrix molecule intercalation and molecular interactions.
Conclusions:
- Surface-engineered nanoparticles offer a viable strategy for tuneable rheological control of liquids.
- Nanoparticle microstructure formation is a key mechanism for modulating viscosity.
- This research provides new pathways for optimizing liquid formulations through nanoparticle design.
