Self-assembled structure of nanoparticles at a liquid-liquid interface

Langmuir. 2005 Mar 29;21(7):2641-3. doi: 10.1021/la047256t.

Abstract

Pickering emulsions are used as a template to investigate the multiphase interactions and self-assembled structure of nanoparticles at a trichloroethylene-water interface. The dodecanethiol-capped silver nanoparticles of 1-5 nm form randomly distributed multilayers at the liquid/liquid interface, with an interparticle distance varying from close contact to approximately 25 nm. This report offers the first direct observation of nanoparticles in a liquid medium using the environmental transmission electron microscope, as well as the first work revealing the detailed self-assembled structure of nanoparticles at a liquid/liquid interface when the size of the nanoparticles is comparable to the molecular dimension of the liquids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Emulsions / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Emulsions
  • Water