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Thermosensitive Molecular, Colloidal, and Bulk Interactions Using a Simple Surfactant
Author(s) -
Kodger Thomas E.,
Sprakel Joris
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201201515
Subject(s) - materials science , colloid , nanotechnology , pulmonary surfactant , crystallization , atomic force microscopy , adsorption , nano , chemical engineering , on demand , particle (ecology) , self assembly , organic chemistry , composite material , computer science , chemistry , oceanography , geology , engineering , multimedia
Abstract Efficient use of (nano)particle self‐assembly for creating nanostructured materials requires sensitive control over the interactions between building blocks. Here, a very simple method for rendering the interactions between almost any hydrophobic nano‐ and microparticles thermoswitchable is described and this attraction is characterized using colloid probe atomic force microscopy (CP‐AFM). In a single‐step synthesis, a thermoresponsive surfactant is prepared that through physical adsorption generates a thermosensitive brush on hydrophobic surfaces. These surface layers can reversibly trigger gelation and crystallization of nano‐ and microparticles, and at the same time can be used to destabilize emulsions on demand. The method requires no chemical surface modification yet is universal, reproducible, and fully reversible.