Control of the interparticle spacing in superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle clusters by surface ligand engineering

Polymer-mediated self-assembly of superparamagnetic iron oxide(SPIO) nanoparticles allows modulation of the structure of SPIO nanocrystal cluster and their magnetic properties. In this study, dopamine-functionalized polyesters(DApolyester) were used to directly control the magnetic nanoparticle spacing and its effect on magnetic resonance relaxation properties of these clusters was investigated. Monodisperse SPIO nanocrystals with different surface coating materials(poly(ε-caprolactone), poly(lactic acid)) of different molecular weights containing dopamine(DA) structure(DA-PCL2k,DA-PCL1k, DA-PLA1k)) were prepared via ligand exchange reaction, and these nanocrystals were encapsulated inside amphiphilic polymer micelles to modulate the SPIO nanocrystal interparticle spacing. Small-angle x-ray scattering(SAXS)was applied to quantify the interparticle spacing of SPIO clusters. The results demonstrated that the tailored magnetic nanoparticle clusters featured controllable interparticle spacing providing directly by the different surface coating of SPIO nanocrystals. Systematic modulation of SPIO nanocrystal interparticle spacing can regulate the saturation magnetization(Ms) and T_2 relaxation of the aggregation, and lead to increased magnetic resonance(MR) relaxation properties with decreased interparticle spacing.     

Dynamic changes of optical characteristics of resonant domains in metal nanoparticle aggregates under pulsed laser fields

A systematic analysis of the impact of laser radiation on disordered metal nanoparticle aggregates has been carried out using the simplest model of a resonance domain in the form of a bisphere. Such aggregates can be considered as a set of elementary domains with different eigen-resonant frequencies. The model is basically a pair of bound spherical nanoparticles having equal radii and covered with a polymer adsorption layer. A significant change in the resonance properties of the domain occurs due to the change of interparticle gaps under applied radiation. We investigated the temporal variation of parameters and hence optical characteristics of coupled Ag nanoparticles under pulsed laser radiation for different wavelengths, intensities and pulse durations and for different initial values of the interparticle gap.     

Self‐Assembly of Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles with Rigid and Flexible Multifunctional Linkers

The interparticle spacing of carboxyl functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au–COOH) was mediated by rigid cross‐linkers, octa(3‐aminopropyl)octasilsesquioxane (POSS–NH₃ ⁺) and poly(amidoamine) dendrimer terminated with hydroxyl groups (PAMAM–OH), and a flexible polymeric linker, poly(hexanyl viologen) (6‐VP). Regular interparticle spacing was achieved by utilizing POSS–NH₃ ⁺ and PAMAM–OH dendrimer as cross‐linkers, whereas size growth of Au–COOH was observed featuring no interparticle spacing by utilizing 6‐VP as the cross‐linker.     

Self-focusing dynamics in monopolarly charged suspensions

The Smoluchowski equation for irreversible aggregation in suspensions of equally charged particles is studied. Accumulation of charges during the aggregation process leads to a crossover from power-law to sublogarithmic cluster growth at a characteristic time and cluster size. For larger times the suspension is usually called stable, although aggregation still proceeds slowly. In this regime the size distribution evolves towards a universal scaling form, independent of any parameter included in the theory. The relative width falls off to a universal value sigma(infinity)(r) approximately 0.2017 that is much smaller than in the uncharged case. We conjecture that sigma(infinity)(r) is a lower bound for the asymptotic relative width for all physical systems with irreversible aggregation.     

Collective resonances in gold nanoparticle arrays

We present experimental evidence of sharp spectral features in the optical response of 2D arrays of gold nanorods. A simple coupled dipole model is used to describe the main features of the observed spectral line shape. The resonance involves an interplay between the excitation of plasmons localized on the particles and diffraction resulting from the scattering by the periodic arrangement of these particles. We investigate this interplay by varying the particle size, aspect ratio, and interparticle spacing, and observe the effect on the position, width, and intensity of the sharp spectral feature.     

Effect of shape,height,and interparticle spacing of Au nanoparticles on the sensing performance of Au nanoparticle array

The effect of shape,height,and interparticle spacing of Au nanoparticles(NPs) on the sensing performance of Au NP array is systematically investigated. Lengthening the major axis of elliptical NPs with the minor axis kept constant will cause the redshift of the local surface plasmon(LSP) resonance mode,enhance the sensitivity,and widen the resonance peaks. Larger height corresponds to smaller LSP resonance wavelength and narrower resonance peak. With each NP size unchanged,larger interparticle spacing corresponds to larger resonance wavelength and smaller full-width at half-maximum(FWHM) . Moreover,duty cycle is important for sensitivity,which is largest when the duty cycle is 0.4.     

Low-lying Collective Modes of a 1D Dipolar Quantum Gas in an Anharmonic Trap

The low-lying collective modes of an anharmonically confined one-dimensional ultracold dipolar Bose gas are investigated by using time-dependent variational method. The frequencies of dipole mode and breathing mode are obtained analytically in the full crossover regime from a Tonks-Girardeau gas to a dipolar density wave state. We find that the frequency shifts caused by quartic distortion of the potential can be amplified by interparticle interaction and the collapse and revival of the collective excitations can be observed in the anharmonic trap.     

Enhanced Fluorescence from Periodic Arrays of Silver Nanoparticles

Electron beam lithography was used to fabricate silver nanoparticle arrays and study the effects of geometrical properties of particles on metal-enhanced fluorescence. Nanoparticle size, shape, interparticle spacing, and nominal thickness were varied in a combinatorial pattern for investigation of the particle plasmon resonance effect on enhancement of fluorescence from three different fluorophores; Fluorescein, Cy3, and Cy5. A specific geometric property for optimal enhancement from each fluorophore was determined. For interparticle spacings greater or equal to 270 nm, the enhancement matched what is expected for a single-particle model. For those particles smaller than 210 nm, the enhancement was lower than for the larger spacing in the range studied. Triangular-shaped particles gave similar enhancement to those of square-shaped particles. This combinatorial pattern by e-beam lithography was found to be useful for studying how individual parameters enhance the fluorescence that are important for rational design of enhanced fluorescence sensors.     

Electromagnetic energy transport via linear chains of silver nanoparticles

We propose the idea of a subwavelength-sized light guide represented by a linear chain of spherical metal nanoparticles in which light is transmitted by electrodynamic interparticle coupling. The light-transport properties of this system are investigated by use of model calculations based on generalized Mie theory. Considering Ag particles of 50-nm diameter, we find optimum guiding conditions for an interparticle spacing of 25 nm, and a corresponding 1/e signal-damping length of 900 nm is evaluated. The proposed principle of optical energy transport may be useful for subwavelength transmission lines within integrated optics circuits and for near-field optical microscopy.     

Molecular dynamics simulation studies of the miscibility and thermal properties of PMMA/PS polymer blend

This investigation is an attempt to improve our understanding of the thermal properties of PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) by using PS(Polystyrene); the miscibility of PMMA/PS polymer blend is studied. Our work aims to study the impact of the percentage of PMMA/PS polymer blend on the simulated values of the glass transition temperature (Tg) using the dilatometric method. Compass was chosen as the force field (second category force field). The results reveal a single value of the glass transition temperature Tg that is found for all the curves of the PMMA/PS blend system (molar ratio: (50:50, 60:40, 54:46 and 80:20)); this could be a good criterion for predicting the miscibility. Additionally, the solubility parameters of PMMA and PS are calculated and used to obtain the Flory–Huggins parameter, and the morphology of our polymer blend is simulated using the dissipative particle dynamics method (DPD). Our results exhibit an increase in the Tg of PMMA whenever PS is added; hence, we can confirm the miscibility of the PMMA/PS polymer system.     

Spicules and the effect of rigid rods on enclosing membrane tubes

Membrane tubes (spicules) arise in cells, or artificial membranes, in the nonlinear deformation regime due to, e.g., the growth of microtubules, actin filaments, or sickle hemoglobin fibers towards a membrane. We calculate the axial force f exerted by the tube, and its average radius, taking into account steric interactions between the fluctuating membrane and the enclosed rod. We find a smooth crossover of the axial force between f approximately square root of (sigma) and f approximately sigma as the membrane tension sigma increases and the tube radius shrinks. This crossover occurs around the most physiologically relevant membrane tensions. Our work may be important in (i) interpreting experiments in which axial force is related to the tube radius or membrane tension, and (ii) constructing dynamical theories for biopolymer growth in narrow tubes where these fluctuation effects control the tube radius.     

From a simple liquid to a polymer melt: NMR relaxometry study of polybutadiene

We utilize NMR field cycling relaxometry to study the crossover from glassy dynamics (t approximately > tau alpha) through Rouse to reptation behavior in a series of monodisperse polybutadienes with molecular weights M=355 to 817,000 g/mol. We separate characteristic polymer dynamics from the total spectrum dominated by glassy dynamics. The polymer dynamics show typical Rouse relaxation features that grow with M and saturate at high M. Comparing to Rouse theory, we determine the Rouse unit size MR approximately = 500 and entanglement weight Me approximately = 2000; the Rouse spectrum saturates at Mmax approximately = 4000. The local order parameter S approximately 0.11 is relatively large, indicating noticeable local packing already in the Rouse regime. The M dependence of the glass transition temperature Tg, obtained from dielectric relaxation spectra, shows distinctive kinks at MR and Me.     

Colloidal Nanoparticles: Formation of Large 2D Arrays of Shape‐Controlled Colloidal Nanoparticles at Variable Interparticle Distances (Part. Part. Syst. Charact. 1/2013)

A method for the production of homogeneous layers of nanoparticles of arbitrary shape is presented. The method relies on a ligand exchange with a functionalized polymer and a subsequent self‐assembly of a thin film on the substrates. The interparticle distances in the layer can be adjusted by the length of the polymer. In the case of spherical particles, the approach yields quasi‐hexagonal structures; in the case of anisotropic particles, the minimum distance between adjacent particles is controlled. Regular arrangements of the nanoparticles covering areas of several square centimeters are achieved.     

氘代聚合物膜靶制备技术与性能研究

 氘代聚合物膜是快点火基础物理实验的一种重要靶型。通过氘代苯乙烯单体的本体自由基聚合反应制备氘代聚苯乙烯，并利用流延法和浇铸法制备出厚度从几十nm到数百μm的膜靶。溶剂挥发过程中的随机扰动对膜厚均匀性造成影响，采用清洁的基片和在涂沫基片或模具外加防护罩可以降低这种影响。采用PVA作脱膜剂有利于获得较薄的聚合物薄膜。DSC分析表明薄膜的玻璃化转变温度与热处理过程有关，缓慢退火有利于提高Ｔ-g和储能模量。     

Humidity sensor based on localized surface plasmon resonance of multilayer thin films of gold nanoparticles linked with myoglobin

Layer-by-layer self-assembled multilayer thin films of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) linked with myoglobin (Mb) show substantial sensitivity to humidity at room temperature according to measurements of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption that relies on the interparticle interaction present in the film. The sensor response is reversible, with response and recovery times as low as 5 s. The sensing mechanism is as follows: as the ambient humidity changes, Mb molecules change their size, making the GNP-to-GNP spacing and thereby the interparticle interaction change; the change in the interparticle interaction causes a change in the LSPR absorption of the multilayer thin film. We found that the LSPR band of the multilayer thin film was almost insensitive to both the surrounding refractive index and the adlayer thickness, rendering the multilayer-film-based humidity sensor highly immune to ambient disturbances.     

Non-Gaussian and Clustering Behavior in One-Dimensional Polydisperse Granular Gas System

We present a one-dimensional dynamic model of polydisperse granular mixture with the fractal characteristic of the particle size distribution, in which the particles are subject to inelastic mutual collisions and are driven by Gaussian white noise. The inhomogeneity of the particle size distribution is described by a fractal dimension D. The stationary state that the mixture reaches is the result of the balance between energy dissipation and energy injection. By molecular dynamics simulations, we have mainly studied how the inhomogeneity of the particle size distribution and the inelasticity of collisions influence the velocity distribution and distribution of interparticle spacing in the steady-state.The simulation results indicate that, in the inelasticity case, the velocity distribution strongly deviates from the Gaussian one and the system has a strong spatial clustering. Thus the inhomogeneity and the inelasticity have great effects on the velocity distribution and distribution of interparticle spacing. The quantitative information of the non-Gaussian velocity distribution and that of clustering are respectively represented.     

Analysis of bottlenecks in DWDM fiber optic communication system

This paper deals with the limiting factors like Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS), Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) and Four Wave Mixing (FWM) in DWDM Fiber Optic Communication. The variation of SBS threshold power level for the spectral width of the source is analyzed and it is found that addition of spectral width in the source lowers the SBS effect. By reducing the SBS effect, we could transmit more optical power in a single channel and maintain high OSNR. Similarly the effect of phase mismatching (dispersion) and wavelength spacing on both FWM and SRS are analyzed. This work aims at finding the optimal value of spectral width, dispersion and channel spacing, thereby exploring the possibilities of increasing the overall capacity of the fiber optic trunk line.     

Disjoining pressure of discrete surface charges on thin aqueous films

The disjoining pressure of charged parallel interfaces confining an electrolyte solution is to a large extent determined by the screening clouds of the surface charges. We evaluate the pressure in terms of the number density sigma of discrete charges and film thickness d and find, at sigmad(2) approximately 1, a crossover from the well-known law P approximately sigma(2) to a linear behavior P approximately sigma. For the latter case, each surface charge results in strongly inhomogeneous pressure profiles at both interfaces.     

Fluctuation spectrum of fluid membranes coupled to an elastic meshwork: jump of the effective surface tension at the mesh size

We identify a class of composite membranes: fluid bilayers coupled to an elastic meshwork that are such that the meshwork's energy is a function F(el)[A(xi)] not of the real microscopic membrane area A, but of a smoothed membrane's area A(xi), which corresponds to the area of the membrane coarse grained at the mesh size xi. We show that the meshwork modifies the membrane tension sigma both below and above the scale xi, inducing a steep crossover of amplitude deltasigma=dF(el)/dA(xi). The predictions of our model account for the fluctuation spectrum of red blood cell membranes coupled to their cytoskeleton. Our results indicate that the cytoskeleton might be under extensional stress, which would provide a means to regulate available membrane areas. We also predict an observable tension jump for membranes decorated with polymer "brushes."