Reverse Coarsening and the Control of Particle Size Distribution through Surfactant
The minimization of surface area, as a result of the minimization of (positive) surface energy, is a well-known driving force behind the spontaneous broadening of (nano) particle size distribution. We show that surfactant molecules binding to particle surfaces effectively decrease the surface energy...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/15/5359 |
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| author | Victor M. Burlakov Alain Goriely |
| author_facet | Victor M. Burlakov Alain Goriely |
| author_sort | Victor M. Burlakov |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The minimization of surface area, as a result of the minimization of (positive) surface energy, is a well-known driving force behind the spontaneous broadening of (nano) particle size distribution. We show that surfactant molecules binding to particle surfaces effectively decrease the surface energy and may change its sign. In this case, contrary to the expected broadening behavior, a minimum of free energy is achieved at the maximum surface area for all particles, i.e., when the particles are identical. Numerical simulations based on the classical Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner theory with surfactant-induced surface energy renormalization confirm the collapse of the particle size distribution. As the particle size evolution is much slower than particle nucleation and growth, the manipulation of surface energy with in-situ replacement of surfactant molecules provides a method for controlling particle size distribution with great potential for creating mono-disperse nanoparticles, a key goal of nanotechnology. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:59:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-166e3d8c49244eb99123eb1c02c91573 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:59:42Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-166e3d8c49244eb99123eb1c02c915732023-11-20T08:56:45ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172020-08-011015535910.3390/app10155359Reverse Coarsening and the Control of Particle Size Distribution through SurfactantVictor M. Burlakov0Alain Goriely1Linacre College, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3JA, UKMathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, UKThe minimization of surface area, as a result of the minimization of (positive) surface energy, is a well-known driving force behind the spontaneous broadening of (nano) particle size distribution. We show that surfactant molecules binding to particle surfaces effectively decrease the surface energy and may change its sign. In this case, contrary to the expected broadening behavior, a minimum of free energy is achieved at the maximum surface area for all particles, i.e., when the particles are identical. Numerical simulations based on the classical Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner theory with surfactant-induced surface energy renormalization confirm the collapse of the particle size distribution. As the particle size evolution is much slower than particle nucleation and growth, the manipulation of surface energy with in-situ replacement of surfactant molecules provides a method for controlling particle size distribution with great potential for creating mono-disperse nanoparticles, a key goal of nanotechnology.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/15/5359free energysurface energysurfactantsmolecular ligandsmono-disperse nanoparticlesparticle coarsening |
| spellingShingle | Victor M. Burlakov Alain Goriely Reverse Coarsening and the Control of Particle Size Distribution through Surfactant Applied Sciences free energy surface energy surfactants molecular ligands mono-disperse nanoparticles particle coarsening |
| title | Reverse Coarsening and the Control of Particle Size Distribution through Surfactant |
| title_full | Reverse Coarsening and the Control of Particle Size Distribution through Surfactant |
| title_fullStr | Reverse Coarsening and the Control of Particle Size Distribution through Surfactant |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reverse Coarsening and the Control of Particle Size Distribution through Surfactant |
| title_short | Reverse Coarsening and the Control of Particle Size Distribution through Surfactant |
| title_sort | reverse coarsening and the control of particle size distribution through surfactant |
| topic | free energy surface energy surfactants molecular ligands mono-disperse nanoparticles particle coarsening |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/15/5359 |
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