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Bochenek S, Rudov AA, Sassmann T, Potemkin II, Richtering W. Influence of Architecture on the Interfacial Properties of Polymers: Linear Chains, Stars, and Microgels. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:18354-18365. [PMID: 38059308 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Surface-active polymers have important applications as effective and responsive emulsifiers, foaming agents, and coatings. In this contribution, we explore the impact of the polymer architecture on the behavior at oil-water interfaces by comparing different poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM)-based systems, namely, monolayers of linear and star-shaped macromolecules, ultralow cross-linked, regular cross-linked, and hollow microgels. Compression isotherms were determined experimentally as well as by computer simulations. The latter provides information about the conformational changes of the individual macromolecules as well as the interfacial properties of the monolayer, including the surface structure and the density distribution of an ensemble of interacting macromolecules near an interface. Surprisingly, the isotherms of the linear polymer, of the star polymer, and of the ultralow cross-linked microgel have an identical shape that differs from the isotherms of regular and hollow microgels. We introduced the mass fraction of adsorbed polymer, which gives a measure of the polymer segments contributing to the isotherm in relation to the most flexible architecture, i.e., the linear polymer, and allows a comparison of polymers with different architectures. The data demonstrate that increasing the number of cross-links leads to a significantly lower amount of polymer in the proximity of the interface as the increase in cross-linker reduces the deformability or softness of the polymers at the interface. The volume fraction profiles along the normal to the interface are essentially different in the microgel monolayers as compared to those in the linear and star polymer. The profiles through the microgel contact line and their growth upon initial compression are similar to those of the linear chains. Herewith, the profiles through the center of mass practically do not change upon compression. Therefore, the initial growth in the microgel surface pressure reveals the polymer-like behavior and is related to the deformation of the peripheral part of the microgel. Further compression of the microgel monolayer leads to 3D interactions of the microgels within the aqueous side of the interface and soft colloid-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Bochenek
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Andrey A Rudov
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Tim Sassmann
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Igor I Potemkin
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
| | - Walter Richtering
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany, European Union
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Zbonikowski R, Iwan M, Paczesny J. Stimuli-Responsive Langmuir Films Composed of Nanoparticles Decorated with Poly( N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) at the Air/Water Interface. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:23706-23719. [PMID: 37426285 PMCID: PMC10323952 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The nanotechnology shift from static toward stimuli-responsive systems is gaining momentum. We study adaptive and responsive Langmuir films at the air/water interface to facilitate the creation of two-dimensional (2D) complex systems. We verify the possibility of controlling the assembly of relatively large entities, i.e., nanoparticles with diameter around 90 nm, by inducing conformational changes within an about 5 nm poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) capping layer. The system performs reversible switching between uniform and nonuniform states. The densely packed and uniform state is observed at a higher temperature, i.e., opposite to most phase transitions, where more ordered phases appear at lower temperatures. The induced nanoparticles' conformational changes result in different properties of the interfacial monolayer, including various types of aggregation. The analysis of surface pressure at different temperatures and upon temperature changes, surface potential measurements, surface rheology experiments, Brewster angle microscopy (BAM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations are accompanied by calculations to discuss the principles of the nanoparticles' self-assembly. Those findings provide guidelines for designing other adaptive 2D systems, such as programable membranes or optical interfacial devices.
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Zbonikowski R, Mente P, Bończak B, Paczesny J. Adaptive 2D and Pseudo-2D Systems: Molecular, Polymeric, and Colloidal Building Blocks for Tailored Complexity. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:855. [PMID: 36903733 PMCID: PMC10005801 DOI: 10.3390/nano13050855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional and pseudo-2D systems come in various forms. Membranes separating protocells from the environment were necessary for life to occur. Later, compartmentalization allowed for the development of more complex cellular structures. Nowadays, 2D materials (e.g., graphene, molybdenum disulfide) are revolutionizing the smart materials industry. Surface engineering allows for novel functionalities, as only a limited number of bulk materials have the desired surface properties. This is realized via physical treatment (e.g., plasma treatment, rubbing), chemical modifications, thin film deposition (using both chemical and physical methods), doping and formulation of composites, or coating. However, artificial systems are usually static. Nature creates dynamic and responsive structures, which facilitates the formation of complex systems. The challenge of nanotechnology, physical chemistry, and materials science is to develop artificial adaptive systems. Dynamic 2D and pseudo-2D designs are needed for future developments of life-like materials and networked chemical systems in which the sequences of the stimuli would control the consecutive stages of the given process. This is crucial to achieving versatility, improved performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Here, we review the advancements in studies on adaptive, responsive, dynamic, and out-of-equilibrium 2D and pseudo-2D systems composed of molecules, polymers, and nano/microparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jan Paczesny
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
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Giner-Casares JJ, Reguera J. Directed self-assembly of inorganic nanoparticles at air/liquid interfaces. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:16589-16595. [PMID: 27722594 DOI: 10.1039/c6nr05054a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) appear as the forefront functional structure in nanotechnology. The preparation of functional materials based on inorganic NPs requires their assembly onto well-defined structures. Within this context, self-assembly at air-liquid interfaces is probably the best candidate for a universal procedure for active materials composed of assembled NPs. The detailed in situ mechanism of the lateral self-assembly and vertical organization of NPs at air-liquid interfaces is still unknown despite its extended use. The most common and promising methods for addressing this open issue are reviewed herein. The self-assembled films can be used in situ or further be transferred to solid substrates as the main constituents of novel functional materials. Plasmonic NPs at interfaces are highly interesting, given the broad range of applications of the plasmonic field, and will be discussed more in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Giner-Casares
- Institute of Fine Chemistry and Nanochemistry, Department of Physical Chemistry and Applied Thermodynamics, University of Córdoba, Campus Universitario de Rabanales, 14014, Córdoba, Spain.
| | - Javier Reguera
- CIC biomaGUNE, Paseo de Miramón 182, 20009 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain. and Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain and Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 50018 Aragon, Spain
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Mahalik JP, Sumpter BG, Kumar R. Vertical Phase Segregation Induced by Dipolar Interactions in Planar Polymer Brushes. Macromolecules 2016. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.6b01138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti P. Mahalik
- Computer
Science and Mathematics
Division and Center for Nanophase Materials
Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Bobby G. Sumpter
- Computer
Science and Mathematics
Division and Center for Nanophase Materials
Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Rajeev Kumar
- Computer
Science and Mathematics
Division and Center for Nanophase Materials
Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
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Reguera J, Ponomarev E, Geue T, Stellacci F, Bresme F, Moglianetti M. Contact angle and adsorption energies of nanoparticles at the air-liquid interface determined by neutron reflectivity and molecular dynamics. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:5665-73. [PMID: 25744221 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr00620a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how nanomaterials interact with interfaces is essential to control their self-assembly as well as their optical, electronic, and catalytic properties. We present here an experimental approach based on neutron reflectivity (NR) that allows the in situ measurement of the contact angles of nanoparticles adsorbed at fluid interfaces. Because our method provides a route to quantify the adsorption and interfacial energies of the nanoparticles in situ, it circumvents problems associated with existing indirect methods, which rely on the transport of the monolayers to substrates for further analysis. We illustrate the method by measuring the contact angle of hydrophilic and hydrophobic gold nanoparticles, coated with perdeuterated octanethiol (d-OT) and with a mixture of d-OT and mercaptohexanol (MHol), respectively. The contact angles were also calculated via atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) computations, showing excellent agreement with the experimental data. Our method opens the route to quantify the adsorption of complex nanoparticle structures adsorbed at fluid interfaces featuring different chemical compositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Reguera
- Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Geisel K, Richtering W, Isa L. Highly ordered 2D microgel arrays: compression versus self-assembly. SOFT MATTER 2014; 10:7968-76. [PMID: 25154634 DOI: 10.1039/c4sm01166j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Monolayers of micro- and nanoparticles at fluid interfaces are a key component in a variety of applications, ranging from particle lithography to stabilizers in foams or emulsions. In addition to commonly used "hard" colloids, soft polymeric particles like microgels are attracting increasing attention due to their potential in the fabrication of tailored and responsive assemblies. In particular, regular hexagonal arrays of microgels have been previously deposited after assembly at a fluid interface. While the arrangement cannot be easily controlled after adsorption and self-assembly from the bulk phase, specific structures can be achieved by compressing an interfacial microgel monolayer spread in a Langmuir trough and by transferring it onto substrates at distinct compression states. The degree of ordering after compression surpasses the one that is reached after self-assembly from the bulk and is, in general, independent from the presence of charges and different microgel morphologies. As a consequence, by monitoring the surface pressure during compression it is possible to produce highly ordered microgel arrays where the interparticle distance can be systematically and externally controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Geisel
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 2, 52056 Aachen, Germany
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Cui Q, Shen G, Wu F, Wang E. Two-step phase transition via in situ hydrolysis of thermosensitive polymeric micelles with acid-labile core. Colloid Polym Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00396-013-2989-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Beija M, Marty JD, Destarac M. RAFT/MADIX polymers for the preparation of polymer/inorganic nanohybrids. Prog Polym Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2011.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Muralidharan G, Sivaraman SK, Santhanam V. Effect of substrate on particle arrangement in arrays formed by self-assembly of polymer grafted nanoparticles. NANOSCALE 2011; 3:2138-2141. [PMID: 21445398 DOI: 10.1039/c1nr10086f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
We show that the substrate affects the interparticle spacing in monolayer arrays with hexagonal order formed by self-assembly of polymer grafted nanoparticles. Remarkably, arrays with square packing were formed due to convective shearing at a liquid surface induced by miscibility of colloidal solution with the substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Girish Muralidharan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
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Cui Q, Wu F, Wang E. Thermosensitive Behavior of Poly(ethylene Glycol)-Based Block Copolymer (PEG-b-PADMO) Controlled via Self-Assembled Microstructure. J Phys Chem B 2011; 115:5913-22. [DOI: 10.1021/jp200659u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qianling Cui
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Feipeng Wu
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Erjian Wang
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
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