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

The interactions of silver nanoparticles capped by various calixn]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 calix4]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.