Colloidal microcapsules (MCs) are highly modular, inherently multiscale constructs of capsules stabilized by nano‐/microparticle shells, with applications in many areas of materials and biological sciences, such as drug delivery, encapsulation, and microreactors. Until recently, fabrication of colloidal MCs focused on the use of submicron‐sized particles because the smaller nanoparticles (NPs) are inherently unstable at the interface owing to thermal disorder. However, stable microcapsules can now be obtained by tuning the interactions between the nanometer‐sized building blocks at the liquid–liquid interface. This Review highlights recent developments in the fabrication of colloidal MCs using NPs. 相似文献
We have observed the rotational dynamics of single protein‐coated gold nanorods (AuNRs) on C18‐modified silica surfaces in real time by dual‐channel polarization dark‐field microscopy. Four different rotational states were identified, depending on the apparent strength of interactions between the AuNRs and the surface. The distributions of the states could be regulated by adjusting the salt concentration, and the state transitions were verified by monitoring the entire desorption process of a single AuNR. Our study provides insight into the interfacial orientation and dynamics of nanoparticles and could be useful for in vitro biophysics and the separation of proteins. 相似文献
The electrochemical deposition of Cu nanoparticles with an average diameter of approximately 25–35 nm has been reported at liquid–liquid interfaces by using the organic‐phase electron‐donor decamethylferrocene (DMFc). The electrodeposited Cu nanoparticles display excellent catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER); this is the first reported catalytic effect of Cu nanoparticles at liquid–liquid interfaces. 相似文献
Molecular dynamics computer simulation has been carded out to study the structure and physical properties of iron nanoparticles with 331 to 2133 Fe atoms or with diameter from 2.3 to 4.3 nm. The core of liquid nanodroplets has the similar structure of the bulk molten iron liquid that has an average coordination number around 10.5 and the packing density around 0.45, although the closest Fe-Fe distance is slightly longer in the bulk liquid. Most of the iron nanoparticles formed from the cooling of molten nanodroplets have the same body center cubic crystal structure as it was observed in the bulk under the normal temperature and pressure. Lattice contraction was observed for iron nanoparticles. An amorphous solid and an HCP like solid were obtained accidentally during the quenching runs on Fe331 nanoparticles. The physical properties of iron nanoparticles such as molar volume, density, thermal expansion coefficient, melting point, heat of fusion, heat capacity and diffusion coefficient were estimated based on the results obtained from this simulation. The dependence of physical properties on the nanoparticle sizes was addressed. 相似文献
Metal nanoparticle-based electrocatalysts are widely used in electronic devices, which serve for electrochemical reactions like oxygen reduction reaction, alcohol oxidation and CO2 reduction reaction. These catalyst-dependent reactions are the key of the emerging clean energy systems. Catalyst design and synthesis therefore have received keen attention in past decades. We are motivated to study synthesis approaches of metal nanoparticle-based electrocatalysts using ionic liquids (ILs), which are promising solvents for the nanoparticle preparation because of their unique physicochemical properties. In this personal account, we review our previous and present works on nanoparticle preparation in IL and utilization of the obtained nanoparticles as electrocatalysts. 相似文献
Topological defects in anisotropic fluids like liquid crystals serve as a playground for the research of various effects. In this study, we concentrated on a hybrid system of chiral rod-like molecules doped by magnetic nanoparticles. In textures of the smectic A phase, we observed linear defects and found that clusters of nanoparticles promote nucleation of smectic layer defects just at the phase transition from the isotropic to the smectic A (SmA) phase. In different geometries, we studied and analysed creation of defects which can be explained by attractive elastic forces between nanoparticles in the SmA phase. On cooling the studied hybrid system, clusters grow up to the critical dimension, and the smectic texture is stabilised. The presented effects are theoretically described and explained if we consider the elastic interaction of two point defects and stabilisation of prismatic dislocation loops due to the presence of nanoparticles. 相似文献
The properties of liquid‐crystalline (LC) hybrid systems made of inorganic nanoparticles grafted with photosensitive azo compounds are presented. For materials with a large density of azo ligands at the surface, the LC structure can be reversibly melted by UV light, and the return to the LC state does not require the absorption of visible light. For systems with a lower density of azo ligands, UV light causes shortening of the distance between metal sublayers in the lamellar phase. Interestingly, the azo derivatives attached to the nanoparticle surface show very different kinetics of cis/trans conformational change as compared to the free molecules. The cis form of free ligands in solution is stable for days, whereas the isomerization of molecules attached to the nanoparticle surface to the trans form takes only a few minutes. Apparently, owing to the crowded environment, azo ligands immobilized at a metal surface behave as they would in the condensed state. 相似文献
Stable silver nanoparticles was successfully synthesized by chemical reduction of silver nitrate in an ionic liquid,1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate([BMIM]·BF4) at room temperature.Results of UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy show as-prepared Ag nanoparticles exhibit a typical emission peak at 400―430 nm.By varying the reaction temperature and the precursor concentration,the size and the shape of the silver nanoparticles could be easily controlled under mild conditions.Analyses of trans... 相似文献
Gold‐copper alloy nanoparticles (AuCu NPs) were electrodeposited on a graphene – ionic liquid composite film (EGN‐IL). The AuCu NPs showed high electrocatalysis to the oxidation of hydrazine with a catalytic reaction rate constant of about 5.0×104 mol/Ls. In phosphate buffer solutions (pH 6.8) the oxidation current of hydrazine at 0.15 V (vs. SCE) at the resulting electrode (AuCu? EGN‐IL/GCE) was linear to its concentration in the range of 0.2–110 µM with a sensitivity of 56.7 µA/mM, and the detection limit was 0.1 µM (S/N=3). The electrode was successfully applied to the determination of waste water. 相似文献
Although oxide nanoparticles are ubiquitous in science and technology, a multitude of compositions, phases, structures, and doping levels exist, each one requiring a variety of conditions for their synthesis and modification. Besides, experimental procedures are frequently dominated by high temperatures or pressures and by chemical contaminants or waste. In recent years, laser synthesis of colloids emerged as a versatile approach to access a library of clean oxide nanoparticles relying on only four main strategies running at room temperature and ambient pressure: laser ablation in liquid, laser fragmentation in liquid, laser melting in liquid and laser defect-engineering in liquid. Here, established laser-based methodologies are reviewed through the presentation of a panorama of oxide nanoparticles which include pure oxidic phases, as well as unconventional structures like defective or doped oxides, non-equilibrium compounds, metal-oxide core–shells and other anisotropic morphologies. So far, these materials showed several useful properties that are discussed with special emphasis on catalytic, biomedical and optical application. Yet, given the endless number of mixed compounds accessible by the laser-assisted methodologies, there is still a lot of room to expand the library of nano-crystals and to refine the control over products as well as to improve the understanding of the whole process of nanoparticle formation. To that end, this review aims to identify the perspectives and unique opportunities of laser-based synthesis and processing of colloids for future studies of oxide nanomaterial-oriented sciences. 相似文献
Spontaneous formation of smectic and columnar structures was observed when spherical gold nanoparticles were functionalized with mesogenic thiols (see layered structure and X‐ray pattern of a sample in smectic phase). The particle ordering is stimulated by softening of the interparticle potential and flexibility for deformation of the grafting layer.
Microemulsions (MEs) are ideal for obtaining high‐quality inorganic nanoparticles. As thermodynamically stable systems with a nanometer‐sized droplet phase that serves as a nanoreactor, MEs have obvious advantages for the synthesis of nanoparticles. MEs also have disadvantages, such as their complexity as multicomponent systems, the low amount of obtainable nanoparticles, their limited thermal stability, the fact that hydrolyzable or oxidizable compounds are often excluded from synthesis, the partly elaborate separation of nanoparticles, as well as the removal of surface‐adhered surfactants subsequent to synthesis. This Review presents some strategies to further expand the options of ME‐based synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles. This comprises the crystallization of nanoparticles in “high‐temperature MEs”, the synthesis of hollow nanospheres, the use of hydrogen peroxide or liquid ammonia as the polar droplet phase, and the synthesis of base metals and nitrides in MEs. 相似文献
This article describes the development of a magnetically deformable mirror composed of a reflective monolayer of silver nanoparticles deposited at the surface of a ferrofluid. In order to be commercially competitive, this mirror must surpass existing technologies with respect to optical performance. Several important characteristics of the mirror, including reflectivity, deformability and long term stability, are determined in large part by the constituent chemical components. This article describes recent progress in the optimisation of these components. As outlined below, several important objectives have been met and the mirror has clearly passed the proof‐of‐concept stage. Challenges, however, remain, particularly with respect to the stability of the surface layer of silver nanoparticles that imparts reflectivity to the mirror. This interdisciplinary project underscores the role that fundamental colloid and surface chemistry can play in the development of a unique optical element.相似文献