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Two-Dimensional Crystallization of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-Capped Gold Nanoparticles

Journal Article · · Langmuir
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Ames Lab. and Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States). Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering
  2. Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States). NSF’s ChemMatCARS
  3. Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
  4. Ames Lab. and Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy

Surface-sensitive X-ray reflectivity and grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering reveal the structure of polymer-capped-gold nanoparticles (AuNPs that are grafted with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide); PNIPAM–AuNPs) as they self-assemble and crystallize at the aqueous suspension/vapor interface. Citrate-stabilized AuNPs (5 and 10 nm in nominal diameter) are ligand-exchanged by 6 kDa PNIPAM-thiol to form corona brushes around the AuNPs that are highly stable and dispersed in aqueous suspensions. Surprisingly, no clear evidence of thermosensitive effect on surface enrichment or self-assembly of the PNIPAM–AuNPs is observed in the 10–35 °C temperature range. However, addition of simple salts (in this case, NaCl) to the suspension induces migration of the PNIPAM–AuNPs to the aqueous surface, and above a threshold salt concentration, two-dimensional crystals are formed. In conclusion, the 10 nm PNIPAM–AuNPs form a highly ordered single layer with in-plane triangular structure, whereas the 5 nm capped NPs form short-range triangular structure that gradually becomes denser as salt concentration increases.

Research Organization:
Ames Laboratory (AMES), Ames, IA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-07CH11358; AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1464476
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1463708
Report Number(s):
IS-J--9723
Journal Information:
Langmuir, Journal Name: Langmuir Journal Issue: 28 Vol. 34; ISSN 0743-7463
Publisher:
American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Superlattice assembly by interpolymer complexation journal January 2019

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