Issue 10, 2007

Self-assembly of nanoparticles at interfaces

Abstract

Developments in the assembly of nanoparticles at liquid–liquid interfaces are reviewed where the assemblies can be controlled by tuning the size of the nanoparticles and the chemical characteristics of the ligands. Both synthetic and biological nanoparticles are discussed. By controlling the type of ligands, uniform and Janus-type nanoparticles can be produced where, at liquid–liquid interfaces, subsequent reactions of the ligands can be used to generate crosslinked sheets of nanoparticles at the interface that have applications including novel encapsulants, filtration devices with well-defined porosities, and controlled release materials. By controlling the size and volume fraction of the nanoparticles and the chemical nature of the ligands, nanoparticlepolymer composites can be generated where either enthalpy or entropy can be used to control the spatial distribution of the nanoparticles, thereby, producing auto-responsive materials that self-heal, self-corral assemblies of nanoparticles, or self-direct morphologies. Such systems hold great promise for generating novel optical, acoustic, electronic and magnetic materials.

Graphical abstract: Self-assembly of nanoparticles at interfaces

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
02 May 2007
Accepted
23 Jul 2007
First published
04 Sep 2007

Soft Matter, 2007,3, 1231-1248

Self-assembly of nanoparticles at interfaces

A. Böker, J. He, T. Emrick and T. P. Russell, Soft Matter, 2007, 3, 1231 DOI: 10.1039/B706609K

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