Open AccessContact Forces between Single Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Gas-Phase Applications and Processes
Author(s) -
Samir Salameh,
Monique A. van der Veen,
Michael Kappl,
J. Ruud van Ommen
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
langmuir
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.042
H-Index - 333
eISSN - 1520-5827
pISSN - 0743-7463
DOI - 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b02982
Subject(s) - van der waals force , solvation , nanoparticle , oxide , chemical physics , chemistry , molecule , work (physics) , particle (ecology) , phase (matter) , nanotechnology , materials science , thermodynamics , physics , oceanography , organic chemistry , geology
In this work we present a comprehensive experimental study to determine the contact forces between individual metal oxide nanoparticles in the gas-phase using atomic force microscopy. In addition, we determined the amount of physisorbed water for each type of particle surface. By comparing our results with mathematical models of the interaction forces, we could demonstrate that classical continuum models of van der Waals and capillary forces alone cannot sufficiently describe the experimental findings. Rather, the discrete nature of the molecules has to be considered, which leads to ordering at the interface and the occurrence of solvation forces. We demonstrate that inclusion of solvation forces in the model leads to quantitative agreement with experimental data and that tuning of the molecular order by addition of isopropanol vapor allows us to control the interaction forces between the nanoparticles.