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Control of Self-Assembly in Hierarchical Organic Nanoparticles

POSTER

Abstract

Semi-dilute nanoparticles tend to cluster in order to reduce surface area. Clustering can be controlled using surfactants. In this work a polyethelene oxide (PEO) based surfactant, Triton X-100®, is used to control clustering of an organic pigment. PEO displays a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) at 66 °C. It has been found that reduced miscibility in the vicinity of the LCST can be used to control clustering. For small clusters significant aggregation occurs while for sufficiently large clusters aggregation does not occur. In this way a thermally controlled hierarchical structure can be produced. The thermally tuned hierarchical structure can be locked in using chemically modified surfactant.

Presenters

  • jianqi wang

    Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati

Authors

  • jianqi wang

    Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati

  • Kabir Rishi

    Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati, Dept. Chem. and Mat. Eng., University of Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati

  • Tucker McKenzie

    Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati

  • Greg Beaucage

    Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati, Dept. Chem. and Mat. Eng., University of Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati

  • Neil Ayres

    Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati

  • Jan Ilavsky

    Argonne National Lab, Argonne National Laboratory

  • Ivan Kuzmenko

    Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne National Lab, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory