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Ghosh S, Douglas JF. Phase separation in the presence of fractal aggregates. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:104903. [PMID: 38469910 DOI: 10.1063/5.0190196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation in diverse manufacturing and biological contexts often occurs in the presence of aggregated particles or complex-shaped structures that do not actively participate in the phase separation process, but these "background" structures can serve to direct the macroscale phase separation morphology by their local symmetry-breaking presence. We perform Cahn-Hilliard phase-field simulations in two dimensions to investigate the morphological evolution, wetting, and domain growth phenomena during the phase separation of a binary mixture in contact with model fractal aggregates. Our simulations reveal that phase separation initially accelerates around the fractal due to the driving force of wetting, leading to the formation of the target composition patterns about the fractals, as previously observed for circular particles. After the formation of a wetting layer on the fractal, however, we observe a dramatic slowing-down in the kinetics of phase separation, and the characteristic domain size eventually "pins" to a finite value or approaches an asymptotic scaling regime as an ordinary phase if the phase separation loses memory of the aggregates when the scale of phase separation becomes much larger than the aggregate. Furthermore, we perform simulations to examine the effects of compositional interference between fractals with a view to elucidating interesting novel morphological features in the phase-separating mixture. Our findings should be helpful in understanding the qualitative aspects of the phase separation processes in mixtures containing particle aggregates relevant for coating, catalyst, adhesive, and electronic applications as well as in diverse biological contexts, where phase separation occurs in the presence of irregular heterogeneities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriyo Ghosh
- Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand 247667, India
| | - Jack F Douglas
- Materials Science & Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA
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Jambhulkar S, Ravichandran D, Zhu Y, Thippanna V, Ramanathan A, Patil D, Fonseca N, Thummalapalli SV, Sundaravadivelan B, Sun A, Xu W, Yang S, Kannan AM, Golan Y, Lancaster J, Chen L, Joyee EB, Song K. Nanoparticle Assembly: From Self-Organization to Controlled Micropatterning for Enhanced Functionalities. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2306394. [PMID: 37775949 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles form long-range micropatterns via self-assembly or directed self-assembly with superior mechanical, electrical, optical, magnetic, chemical, and other functional properties for broad applications, such as structural supports, thermal exchangers, optoelectronics, microelectronics, and robotics. The precisely defined particle assembly at the nanoscale with simultaneously scalable patterning at the microscale is indispensable for enabling functionality and improving the performance of devices. This article provides a comprehensive review of nanoparticle assembly formed primarily via the balance of forces at the nanoscale (e.g., van der Waals, colloidal, capillary, convection, and chemical forces) and nanoparticle-template interactions (e.g., physical confinement, chemical functionalization, additive layer-upon-layer). The review commences with a general overview of nanoparticle self-assembly, with the state-of-the-art literature review and motivation. It subsequently reviews the recent progress in nanoparticle assembly without the presence of surface templates. Manufacturing techniques for surface template fabrication and their influence on nanoparticle assembly efficiency and effectiveness are then explored. The primary focus is the spatial organization and orientational preference of nanoparticles on non-templated and pre-templated surfaces in a controlled manner. Moreover, the article discusses broad applications of micropatterned surfaces, encompassing various fields. Finally, the review concludes with a summary of manufacturing methods, their limitations, and future trends in nanoparticle assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayli Jambhulkar
- Systems Engineering, School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks (MSN), Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA
| | - Dharneedar Ravichandran
- Manufacturing Engineering, School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks (MSN), Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA
| | - Yuxiang Zhu
- Manufacturing Engineering, School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks (MSN), Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA
| | - Varunkumar Thippanna
- Manufacturing Engineering, School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks (MSN), Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA
| | - Arunachalam Ramanathan
- Manufacturing Engineering, School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks (MSN), Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA
| | - Dhanush Patil
- Manufacturing Engineering, School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks (MSN), Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA
| | - Nathan Fonseca
- Manufacturing Engineering, School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks (MSN), Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA
| | - Sri Vaishnavi Thummalapalli
- Manufacturing Engineering, School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks (MSN), Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA
| | - Barath Sundaravadivelan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - Allen Sun
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
| | - Weiheng Xu
- Systems Engineering, School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks (MSN), Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA
| | - Sui Yang
- Materials Science and Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy (SEMTE), Arizona State University (ASU), Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Arunachala Mada Kannan
- The Polytechnic School (TPS), Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA
| | - Yuval Golan
- Department of Materials Engineering and the Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 8410501, Israel
| | - Jessica Lancaster
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, 13400 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, USA
| | - Lei Chen
- Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Rd, Dearborn, MI, 48128, USA
| | - Erina B Joyee
- Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Kenan Song
- School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural, and Mechanical Engineering (ECAM), College of Engineering, University of Georgia (UGA), Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Adjunct Professor of School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks (MSN), Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University (ASU), Mesa, AZ, 85212, USA
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Ghosh S, Mukherjee A, Arroyave R, Douglas JF. Impact of particle arrays on phase separation composition patterns. J Chem Phys 2020; 152:224902. [PMID: 32534548 DOI: 10.1063/5.0007859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We examine the symmetry-breaking effect of fixed constellations of particles on the surface-directed spinodal decomposition of binary blends in the presence of particles whose surfaces have a preferential affinity for one of the components. Our phase-field simulations indicate that the phase separation morphology in the presence of particle arrays can be tuned to have a continuous, droplet, lamellar, or hybrid morphology depending on the interparticle spacing, blend composition, and time. In particular, when the interparticle spacing is large compared to the spinodal wavelength, a transient target pattern composed of alternate rings of preferred and non-preferred phases emerges at early times, tending to adopt the symmetry of the particle configuration. We reveal that such target patterns stabilize for certain characteristic length, time, and composition scales characteristic of the pure phase-separating mixture. To illustrate the general range of phenomena exhibited by mixture-particle systems, we simulate the effects of single-particle, multi-particle, and cluster-particle systems having multiple geometrical configurations of the particle characteristic of pattern substrates on phase separation. Our simulations show that tailoring the particle configuration, or substrate pattern configuration, a relative fluid-particle composition should allow the desirable control of the phase separation morphology as in block copolymer materials, but where the scales accessible to this approach of organizing phase-separated fluids usually are significantly larger. Limited experiments confirm the trends observed in our simulations, which should provide some guidance in engineering patterned blend and other mixtures of technological interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriyo Ghosh
- Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - Arnab Mukherjee
- Center for Hierarchical Materials Design, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
| | - Raymundo Arroyave
- Materials Science and Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Jack F Douglas
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA
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Jambhulkar S, Xu W, Ravichandran D, Prakash J, Mada Kannan AN, Song K. Scalable Alignment and Selective Deposition of Nanoparticles for Multifunctional Sensor Applications. NANO LETTERS 2020; 20:3199-3206. [PMID: 32233441 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b05245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Here reported is the layer-by-layer-based advanced manufacturing that yields a simple, novel, and cost-effective technique for generating selective nanoparticle deposition and orientation in the form of well-controlled patterns. The surface roughness of the three-dimensionally printed patterns and the solid-liquid-air contact line, as well as the nanoparticle interactions in dipped suspensions, determine the carbon nanofiber (CNF) alignment, while the presence of triangular grooves supports the pinning of the meniscus, resulting in a configuration consisting of alternating CNF and polymer channels. The polymer/nanoparticle composites show 10 times lower resistance along with the particle alignment direction than the randomly distributed CNF networks and 6 orders of magnitude lower than that along the transverse direction. The unidirectional alignment of the CNF also demonstrates linear piezoresistivity behavior under small strain deformation along with high sensitivity and selectivity toward volatile organic compounds. The reported advanced manufacturing shows broad applications in microelectronics, energy transport, light composites, and multifunctional sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayli Jambhulkar
- The Polytechnic School, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Mesa, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Weiheng Xu
- The Polytechnic School, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Mesa, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Dharneedar Ravichandran
- The Polytechnic School, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Mesa, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Jyoti Prakash
- The Polytechnic School, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Mesa, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Arunachala Nadar Mada Kannan
- The Polytechnic School, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Mesa, Arizona 85212, United States
| | - Kenan Song
- The Polytechnic School, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Mesa, Arizona 85212, United States
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Rumble KA, Thijssen JHJ, Schofield AB, Clegg PS. Compressing a spinodal surface at fixed area: bijels in a centrifuge. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:4375-4383. [PMID: 27098233 DOI: 10.1039/c6sm00168h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (bijels) are solid-stabilised emulsions with two inter-penetrating continuous phases. Employing the method of centrifugal compression we find that macroscopically the bijel yields at relatively low angular acceleration. Both continuous phases escape from the top of the structure, making any compression immediately irreversible. Microscopically, the bijel becomes anisotropic with the domains aligned perpendicular to the compression direction which inhibits further liquid expulsion; this contrasts strongly with the sedimentation behaviour of colloidal gels. The original structure can, however, be preserved close to the top of the sample and thus the change to an anisotropic structure suggests internal yielding. Any air bubbles trapped in the bijel are found to aid compression by forming channels aligned parallel to the compression direction which provide a route for liquid to escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Rumble
- School of Physics and Astronomy, James Clerk Maxwell Building, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, UK EH9 3FD.
| | - Job H J Thijssen
- School of Physics and Astronomy, James Clerk Maxwell Building, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, UK EH9 3FD.
| | - Andrew B Schofield
- School of Physics and Astronomy, James Clerk Maxwell Building, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, UK EH9 3FD.
| | - Paul S Clegg
- School of Physics and Astronomy, James Clerk Maxwell Building, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, UK EH9 3FD.
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Carmack JM, Millett PC. Numerical simulations of bijel morphology in thin films with complete surface wetting. J Chem Phys 2015; 143:154701. [PMID: 26493916 DOI: 10.1063/1.4932191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Bijels are a relatively new class of soft materials that have many potential energy and environmental applications. In this work, simulation results of bijel evolution confined within thin films with preferential surface wetting are presented. The computational approach used is a hybrid Cahn-Hilliard/Brownian dynamics method. In the absence of suspended particles, we demonstrate that the model accurately captures the rich kinetics associated with diffusion-based surface-directed spinodal decomposition, as evidenced by comparison with previous theoretical and simulation-based studies. When chemically neutral particles are included in the films, the simulations capture surface-modified bijel formation, with stabilized domain structures comparable with the experimental observations of Composto and coworkers. Namely, two basic morphologies - bicontinuous or discrete - are seen to emerge, with direct dependence on the film thickness, particle volume fraction, and particle radius.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Carmack
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
| | - Paul C Millett
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, USA
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