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Robertson H, Gresham IJ, Nelson ARJ, Prescott SW, Webber GB, Wanless EJ. Illuminating the nanostructure of diffuse interfaces: Recent advances and future directions in reflectometry techniques. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 331:103238. [PMID: 38917595 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Diffuse soft matter interfaces take many forms, from end-tethered polymer brushes or adsorbed surfactants to self-assembled layers of lipids. These interfaces play crucial roles across a multitude of fields, including materials science, biophysics, and nanotechnology. Understanding the nanostructure and properties of these interfaces is fundamental for optimising their performance and designing novel functional materials. In recent years, reflectometry techniques, in particular neutron reflectometry, have emerged as powerful tools for elucidating the intricate nanostructure of soft matter interfaces with remarkable precision and depth. This review provides an overview of selected recent developments in reflectometry and their applications for illuminating the nanostructure of diffuse interfaces. We explore various principles and methods of neutron and X-ray reflectometry, as well as ellipsometry, and discuss advances in their experimental setups and data analysis approaches. Improvements to experimental neutron reflectometry methods have enabled greater time resolution in kinetic measurements and elucidation of diffuse structure under shear or confinement, while innovation in analysis protocols has significantly reduced data processing times, facilitated co-refinement of reflectometry data from multiple instruments and provided greater-than-ever confidence in proposed structural models. Furthermore, we highlight some significant research findings enabled by these techniques, revealing the organisation, dynamics, and interfacial phenomena at the nanoscale. We also discuss future directions and potential advancements in reflectometry techniques. By shedding light on the nanostructure of diffuse interfaces, reflectometry techniques enable the rational design and tailoring of interfaces with enhanced properties and functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayden Robertson
- College of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Soft Matter at Interfaces, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt D-64289, Germany
| | - Isaac J Gresham
- School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Andrew R J Nelson
- Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, ANSTO, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW 2232, Australia
| | - Stuart W Prescott
- School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Grant B Webber
- College of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Erica J Wanless
- College of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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Karpets M, Rajnak M, Petrenko V, Gapon I, Avdeev M, Bulavin L, Timko M, Kopcanský P. Electric field-induced assembly of magnetic nanoparticles from dielectric ferrofluids on planar interface. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Reflectometry and molecular dynamics study of the impact of cholesterol and melatonin on model lipid membranes. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2021; 50:1025-1035. [PMID: 34357445 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-021-01564-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The effect of melatonin and/or cholesterol on the structural properties of a model lipid bilayer prepared from 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) has been investigated both experimentally and via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Neutron reflectometry experiments performed with single supported membranes revealed changes in lipid bilayer thickness upon the introduction of additional components. While the presence of cholesterol led to an increase in membrane thickness, the opposite effect was observed in the case of melatonin. The results obtained are in a good agreement with MD simulations which provided further information on the organization of components within the systems examined, indicating a mechanism underlying the membranes' thickness changes due to cholesterol and melatonin that had been observed experimentally. Cholesterol and melatonin preferentially accumulate in different membrane regions, presumably affecting the conformation of lipid hydrophobic moieties differently, and in turn having distinct impacts on the structure of the entire membrane. Our findings may be relevant for understanding the effects of age-related changes in cholesterol and melatonin concentrations, including those in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
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Saini A, Theis-Bröhl K, Koutsioubas A, Krycka KL, Borchers JA, Wolff M. Magnetic Particle Self-Assembly at Functionalized Interfaces. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:4064-4071. [PMID: 33797254 PMCID: PMC8154863 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c03235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
We study the assembly of magnetite nanoparticles in water-based ferrofluids in wetting layers close to silicon substrates with different functionalization without and with an out-of-plane magnetic field. For particles of nominal sizes 5, 15, and 25 nm, we extract density profiles from neutron reflectivity measurements. We show that self-assembly is only promoted by a magnetic field if a seed layer is formed at the silicon substrate. Such a layer can be formed by chemisorption of activated N-hydroxysuccinimide ester-coated nanoparticles at a (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane functionalized surface. Less dense packing is reported for physisorption of the same particles at a piranha-treated (strongly hydrophilic) silicon wafer, and no wetting layer is found for a self-assembled monolayer of octadecyltrichlorosilane (strongly hydrophobic) at the interface. We show that once the seed layer is formed and under an out-of-plane magnetic field further wetting layers assemble. These layers become denser with time, larger magnetic fields, higher particle concentrations, and larger moment of the nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apurve Saini
- Department
for Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Alexandros Koutsioubas
- Jülich
Centre for Neutron Science JCNS at Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Lichtenbergstraßze 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Kathryn L. Krycka
- NIST
Center for Neutron Research, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-6102, United States
| | - Julie A. Borchers
- NIST
Center for Neutron Research, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-6102, United States
| | - Max Wolff
- Department
for Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- . Phone: + 46 (0)18−471
3590. Fax: + 46
(0)18−471 3524
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Theis-Bröhl K, Saini A, Wolff M, Dura JA, Maranville BB, Borchers JA. Self-Assembly of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Ferrofluids on Different Templates Investigated by Neutron Reflectometry. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E1231. [PMID: 32599954 PMCID: PMC7353075 DOI: 10.3390/nano10061231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In this article we review the process by which magnetite nanoparticles self-assemble onto solid surfaces. The focus is on neutron reflectometry studies providing information on the density and magnetization depth profiles of buried interfaces. Specific attention is given to the near-interface "wetting" layer and to examples of magnetite nanoparticles on a hydrophilic silicon crystal, one coated with (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, and finally, one with a magnetic film with out-of-plane magnetization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Theis-Bröhl
- University of Applied Sciences Bremerhaven, An der Karlstadt 8, 27568 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Apurve Saini
- Department for Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Lägerhyddsvägen 1, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.S.); (M.W.)
| | - Max Wolff
- Department for Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Lägerhyddsvägen 1, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.S.); (M.W.)
| | - Joseph A. Dura
- NIST Center for Neutron Research, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-6102, USA; (J.A.D.); (B.B.M.); (J.A.B.)
| | - Brian B. Maranville
- NIST Center for Neutron Research, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-6102, USA; (J.A.D.); (B.B.M.); (J.A.B.)
| | - Julie A. Borchers
- NIST Center for Neutron Research, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-6102, USA; (J.A.D.); (B.B.M.); (J.A.B.)
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Kiselev MA, Selyakov DN, Gapon IV, Ivankov AI, Ipatova OM, Aksenov VL, Avdeev MV. Investigation of Nanodrug Phospholipovit by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering. CRYSTALLOGR REP+ 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1063774519040114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Avdeev MV, Bobrikov IA, Petrenko VI. Neutron methods for tracking lithium in operating electrodes and interfaces. PHYSICAL SCIENCES REVIEWS 2018. [DOI: 10.1515/psr-2017-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The performance characteristics of modern electrochemical energy storage devices are largely determined by the processes occurring at charge separation interfaces, as well as by the evolution of the structure, composition and chemistry of electrodes and electrolytes. The paper reviews the principal applications of neutron scattering techniques in structural studies of electrode materials and electrochemical interfaces in the course of their operation (operando mode) with an accent to Li-ion batteries. The high penetrating power of thermal neutrons makes it possible to study complex systems that are the closest to real electrochemical cells. The recent progress and future tasks in the development of the neutron scattering methods (diffraction, reflectometry, small-angle scattering) for various types of electrodes/interfaces in Li energy storage devices are discussed.
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Snegir S, Artykulnyi O, Petrenko V, Krumova M, Kutsenko V, Avdeev M, Kasatkin I, Bulavin L. On the in-depth density distribution of layered assemblies of Au nanoparticles on planar interfaces. Chem Phys Lett 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2018.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Isotope effect in heavy/light water suspensions of optically active gold nanoparticles. APPLIED NANOSCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s13204-018-0792-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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