Dependence of the structure of ring-shaped deposits resulting from evaporation of dispersion droplets on initial contact angle

Experiments have been performed on the formation of ding-shaped deposits upon the evaporation of dispersion droplets on different substrates accompanied by the coffee ring effect. The main attention has been focused on studying the structure of a formed deposit as depending on the initial contact angle of a droplet. It has been established that the deposit structure may vary from ring-shaped to disc-shaped with a decrease in the contact angle. For certain systems, as the initial contact angle is varied, the scenario of droplet evaporation may change and, in some cases, acquire a combined character. Before the onset of pinning, menisci of droplets that are evaporated on modified polymer substrates may initially move not only toward the droplet center, but also in the opposite direction.     

Formation of ring-shaped deposits as a result of evaporating droplets of dispersions of silver nanoparticles and study of their fine structure

Scanning electron microscopy is employed to study ring-shaped deposits formed at different time moments of evaporating droplets of silver colloidal solutions on a glass substrate. It is shown that, in addition to an external fringe, several rings are formed at intermediate stages of evaporation; these rings are, in the course of time, transformed into one dense fringe and a transition zone adjacent to its internal side. The time dependences of the height and width of the fringe are determined. It is established that an increase in the width and height of the fringe is due to the transfer of silver nanoparticles to this region, which play a key role in imparting specific structural organization to the fringe. It is noted that the height of the formed fringe may be qualitatively determined by energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis.     

The effect of silver ions electrolytically introduced into colloidal nanodiamond solution on its viscosity and thermal conductivity

Experimental data have been presented on the influence of silver on the viscosity and thermal conductivity of a dispersion of diamond nanoparticles. A stable dispersion (5 wt %) of detonation nanodiamond particles has been used in the experiments. Silver ions have been introduced electrolytically into the dispersion of diamond nanoparticles. Silver concentration was not higher than 0.05 wt %. It has been shown that the introduction of silver ions significantly affects the thermal conductivity and viscosity of the dispersion.     

Influence of dose on particle size of colloidal silver nanoparticles synthesized by gamma radiation

Colloidal silver nanoparticles were synthesized by γ-irradiation-induced reduction method of an aqueous solution containing silver nitrate as a precursor in various concentrations between 7.40×10^?4 and 1.84×10^?3 M, polyvinyl pyrrolidone for capping colloidal nanoparticles, isopropanol as radical scavenger of hydroxyl radicals and deionised water as a solvent. The irradiations were carried out in a ⁶⁰Co γ source chamber at doses up to 70 kGy. The optical absorption spectra were measured using UV–vis spectrophotometer and used to study the particle distribution and electronic structure of silver nanoparticles. As the radiation dose increases from 10 to 70 kGy, the absorption intensity increases with increasing dose. The absorption peak λ_max blue shifted from 410 to 403 nm correspond to the increase of absorption conduction electron energy from 3.02 to 3.08 eV, indicating the particle size decreases with increasing dose. The particle size was determined by photon cross correlation spectroscopy and the results showed that the particle diameter decreases exponentially with the increase of dose. The transmission electron microscopy images were taken at doses of 20 and 60 kGy and the results confirmed that as the dose increases the diameter of colloidal silver nanoparticle decreases and the particle distribution increases.     

Dispersion and aggregation of nanoparticles derived from colloidal droplets under low-pressure conditions

Formation of individually dispersed nanoparticles or compactly aggregated nanoparticles from sols via a spray-drying route at low pressure was investigated experimentally. Silica sol was used as a sample material. Effects of operating temperature, colloid size, sol concentration, pressure, pH and zeta potential of sols on the morphology of product particles were investigated. From the experimental results, it was shown that dispersed nanoparticles could be obtained at a relatively low pressure (20 Torr) and low temperature (200 degrees C). The experiment also showed that dispersed nanoparticles could be achieved by careful control of the interfacial energy (pH value) of the colloidal precursor. A possible mechanism of sol-to-dry-particle formation in the spray-drying process at low pressure is suggested, based on the experimental results and the available theories. This mechanism was able to explain the experimental results well.     

Mechanism of growth of colloidal silver nanoparticles stabilized by polyvinyl pyrrolidone in gamma-irradiated silver nitrate solution

Silver nanoparticles were prepared by using polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as a stabilizer and gamma-irradiation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that both the amount and the molecular weight of PVP in the irradiated solution considerably affect the average size of the silver nanoparticles. The average size of the silver nanoparticles decreases with increasing the amount of PVP in the solution, but increases with increasing its molecular weight. Further, TEM showed that the silver nanoparticles become disassembled into smaller nanoparticles after dilution with distilled water and sonication. Since the processes of dilution and sonication are not expected to result in chemical reactions or to split the silver nanoparticles, we conclude that each silver nanoparticle prepared by [Formula: see text] -irradiation consists of several smaller nanoparticles surrounded by PVP. Thus, based on these observations, we propose a three-step mechanism for the growth of the silver nanoparticles under the conditions considered here. In the first step, the silver ions interact with PVP, then in the second step the silver ions that are exposed to gamma-irradiation are reduced to silver atoms; nearby silver atoms then aggregate at close range. These aggregates are the primary nanoparticles. Finally, these primary nanoparticles coalesce with other nearby primary nanoparticles or interact with PVP to form larger aggregates which are the secondary (final) nanoparticles.     

Application of the quartz crystal microbalance to the evaporation of colloidal suspension droplets

An investigation into the evaporation of sessile droplets of latex and clay particle suspensions is presented in this work. The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) has been used to study the interfacial phenomena during the drying process of these droplets. Characteristic changes of the crystal oscillating frequency and crystal resistance (damping of the oscillating energy) have been observed and related to the different stages of the evaporation process. Measurements have been made for latex particle sizes from 1.9 to 10 microm and for rough and polished crystals using drops from 0.3 to 1.5 microL. The behavior of the QCM is shown to depend strongly on the size of particles present and on the morphology of the crystal surface. One of the most striking features is a drastic damping of the oscillation energy and corresponding rise in frequency observed during the final stages of evaporation, particularly for the clay suspensions.     

Study of the evaporation of colloidal suspension droplets with the quartz crystal microbalance

In this Article, we report the application of the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to study the evaporation of colloidal suspension droplets. Droplets of alumina particle suspensions with varying particle size and solid concentration have been investigated. Characteristic responses of the resonance frequency of the QCM associated with the different evaporation stages have been established. Quantitative analysis of the experimental results has been performed by the proposed QCM models. An interesting finding is that frequency increase after complete drying has been observed in some cases. Interpretation of the frequency increase has been developed in terms of the contact stiffness. The possible physical mechanisms are also discussed and quantified in terms of various interparticle forces.     

Preparation of silver nanoparticles in solution from a silver salt by laser irradiation

A new method is proposed for the fabrication of a well-defined size and shape distribution of silver nanoparticles in solution; the method employs direct laser irradiation of an aqueous solution containing a silver salt and a surfactant in the absence of reducing agents.     

Percolation transitions in composites formed by the evaporation of droplets of silver nanoparticle dispersions

Conducting properties are studied for deposits that result from evaporating droplets of dispersions of silver nanoparticles with average diameters of 6.2 and 11.9 nm. The deposits represent two ring-shaped structures with diameters of several dozen and several hundred micrometers, which are formed along the perimeter of an evaporating droplet. It is shown that only the external ring-shaped deposit is an electric conductor. The dependence of its conductivity on the content of metal precursor (AgNO₃) in a solution used to synthesize nanoparticles appears to be similar to a percolation transition. Mechanisms of charge transfer in the examined ring-shaped deposit are discussed assuming that it represents a metal-polymer composite.     

Hydrothermal-induced assembly of colloidal silver spheres into various nanoparticles on the basis of HTAB-modified silver mirror reaction

Small colloidal silver spheres (diameter < 10 nm) were found to assemble into various silver nanoparticles including cubes, triangles, wires, and rods in water in the presence of HTAB (n-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide) at 120 degrees C, while the colloids were generated in situ on the basis of a HTAB-modified silver mirror reaction during the synthesis process. Adjustment of the synthesis parameters, in particular the concentrations of HTAB and [Ag(NH3)2]+, led to an obvious shape evolution of silver nanoparticles, thus resulting in the shape-selective formation of the silver nanoparticles. The monodisperse nanocubes with a well-defined crystallographical structure (a single crystal bounded by six {200} facets) have a strong tendency to assemble into two-dimensional arrays on substrates. The nanowires with uniform diameter usually existed in the form of two-dimensional alignments. The findings suggested that hydrothermal-induced assembly of small silver colloidal particles should be a convenient and effective approach to the preparation of various silver nanoparticles.     

Calix-arene silver nanoparticles interactions with surfactants are charge, size and critical micellar concentration dependent

The interactions of silver nanoparticles capped by various calix[n]arenes bearing sulphonate groups at the para and/or phenolic faces with cationic, neutral and anionic surfactants have been studied. Changes in the plasmonic absorption show that only the calix[4]arene derivatives sulphonated at the para-position interact and then only with cationic surfactants. The interactions follow the CMC values of the surfactants either as simple molecules or mixed micelles.     

Synthesis of size tunable monodispersed silver nanoparticles and the effect of size on SERS enhancement

Spherical and monodispersed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are ideal for fundamental research as the contribution from size and shape can be accounted for in the experimental design. In this paper a seeded growth method is presented, whereby varying the concentration of sodium borohydride-reduced silver nanoparticle seeds, different sizes of stable spherical nanoparticles with a low polydispersity nanoparticles are produced using hydroquinone as a selective reducing agent. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement factor for each nanoparticle size produced (17, 26, 50, and 65 nm) was then assessed using three different analytes, rhodamine 6G (R6G), malachite green oxalate (MGO) and thiophenol (TP). The enhancement factor gives an indication of the Raman enhancement effect by the nanoparticle. Using non-aggregated conditions and two different laser excitation wavelength (633 nm and 785 nm) it is shown that an increase in particle size results in an increased enhancement for each analyte used.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel four-arm star PDMAEMA-stabilized colloidal silver nanoparticles

Spontaneous formation and efficient stabilization of colloidal silver nanoparticles were achieved in aqueous four-arm star poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) solution at ambient temperature in the absence of any other reducing agent. In this reaction, four-arm star PDMAEMA acted as both reducing and stabilizing agents for silver nanoparticles. More importantly, four-arm star PDMAEMA is a tertiary-amine-containing star homopolymer, which shows that the scope of the reducing and stabilizing agents for metal nanoparticles can be extended from the general homopolymers and the block copolymers to the water-soluble simple tertiary-amine-containing star homopolymers. Fourier transform infrared, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the synthetic silver nanoparticles. A plausible mechanism for the formation of silver nanoparticles was proposed in the presence of linear and star PDMAEMA homopolymers. Moreover, the size of the resultant silver nanoparticles can be easily tuned by changing the concentrations of AgNO₃.     

Synthesis and direct interactions of silver colloidal nanoparticles with pollutant gases

Silver nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized in organic solvents. Spontaneous reduction of silver salts takes place in N,N′-dimethyl formamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at room temperature. The formed colloids are not stable without a stabilizing agent, hence rarely used, and inexpensive organic molecules (β-cyclodextrin and cholic acid) were used as surface modifiers in DMF. The stabilization was successful; the Ag NPs remained stable for more than 3 months. Additionally, Ag NPs were prepared using Ag-2-ethylhexanoate and Na-citrate as capping agent in DMSO. The resulting NPs are stable, of 4.4 nm average size, and at the same time reactive for catalytic purposes. The interaction of Ag NPs with pollutant atmospheric gases (NO and SO₂) was studied. UV–visible spectra show the oxidation of silver and the very efficient reduction of NO at room temperature. SO₂ molecules are adsorbed on the NPs surface, causing their aggregation and precipitation.     

The influence of ultrasonic waves on the hydrogen ion concentration and the stability of colloidal solutions

Summary The ultrasonic waves causes the cerie hydroxide sol to set to a gel. This change has been followed by measuring viscosity, conductivity and hydrogen ion concentration. It has been shown that the extent of hydrogen peroxide formed under the action of ultrasonic waves on water is not alone sufficient to explain for the increase in viscosity, nor at such concentrations it would set the sol to a gel.

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Zusammenfassung Ultraschall verursacht in Cerhydroxyd-Solen Gelierung. Dieses Ver?nderung wurde durch Messen der Viskosit?t, Leitf?higkeit und der Wasserstoffkonzentration verfolgt. Es hat sich gezeigt, da? der Betrag an Wasserstoffperoxydbildung unter Einwirkung des Ultraschalles auf Wasser nicht allein ausreichend ist, den Anstieg in der Viskosit?t oder hinsichtlich der Konzentration zu erkl?ren, um die Gelierung zu deuten.

     

Green synthesis of colloidal silver nanoparticles using natural rubber latex extracted from Hevea brasiliensis

Colloidal silver nanoparticles were synthesized by an easy green method using thermal treatment of aqueous solutions of silver nitrate and natural rubber latex (NRL) extracted from Hevea brasiliensis. The UV–Vis spectra detected the characteristic surface plasmonic absorption band around 435 nm. Both NRL and AgNO₃ contents in the reaction medium have influence in the Ag nanoparticles formation. Lower AgNO₃ concentration led to decreased particle size. The silver nanoparticles presented diameters ranging from 2 nm to 100 nm and had spherical shape. The selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns indicated that the silver nanoparticles have face centered cubic (fcc) crystalline structure. FTIR spectra suggest that reduction of the silver ions are facilitated by their interaction with the amine groups from ammonia, which is used for conservation of the NRL, whereas the stability of the particles results from cis-isoprene binding onto the surface of nanoparticles. Therefore natural rubber latex extracted from H. brasiliensis can be employed in the preparation of stable aqueous dispersions of silver nanoparticles acting as a dispersing and/or capping agent. Moreover, this work provides a new method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles that is simple, easy to perform, pollutant free and inexpensive.