Effect of (Poly)electrolytes on the Interfacial Assembly of Poly(ethylene glycol)-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles [Effect of (Poly)electrolytes on the Interfacial Assembly of PEG Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles]
- Ames Lab. and Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States)
- Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States)
- Univ. of Chicago, Chicago, IL (United States)
Here, we report on the effect of interpolymer complexes (IPCs) of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) with poly(ethylene glycol)-functionalized Au nanoparticles (PEG-AuNPs) as they assemble at the vapor–liquid interface, using surface-sensitive synchrotron X-ray scattering techniques. Depending on the suspension pH, PAA functions both as a weak polyelectrolyte and a hydrogen bond donor, and these two roles affect the interfacial assembly of PEG-AuNPs differently. Above its isoelectric point, we find that PAA leads to the formation of a PEG-AuNP monolayer at the interface with a hexagonal structure. In the presence of high concentration of HCl (i.e., below the isoelectric point), at which PAA forms IPCs with PEG, the hexagonal structure at the interface appears to deteriorate, concurrent with aggregation in the bulk. Thus, while the electrolytic behavior of PAA induces interfacial assembly, the hydrogen bonding behavior, as PAA becomes neutral, favors the formation of 3D assemblies. For comparison, we also report on the formation of PEG-AuNP monolayers (in the absence of PAA) with strong electrolytes such as HCl, H2SO4, and NaOH that lead to a high degree of crystallinity.
- Research Organization:
- Ames Laboratory (AMES), Ames, IA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC02-07CH11358
- OSTI ID:
- 1494940
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1499709
- Report Number(s):
- IS-J--9847
- Journal Information:
- Langmuir, Journal Name: Langmuir Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 35; ISSN 0743-7463
- Publisher:
- American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Interfacial Self-Assembly of Polyelectrolyte-Capped Gold Nanoparticles
Unusual Effect of Iodine Ions on the Self-Assembly of Poly(ethylene glycol)-Capped Gold Nanoparticles