Self-Assembly and rheo-mechanical responses of nanoscale objects in confinement
​The phenomenon of self-assembly of nanoparticles of various sizes and shapes can be studied at different interfaces, such as liquid-vapor and liquid-liquid interfaces. At the air-water interface, we prepare 2D films of different organic and inorganic particles using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. Gelation dynamics and viscoelastic behavior of clay particles on the interaction of lipid monolayer gives new insight into the 2D gelation at the interface. Assembly of shape anisotropic nanoparticles at the air/water interface reveals the formation of different nanostructures, and its viscoelastic response can be used in the application of nano-bio and nano-photo sensors, and in the wide area of nano-architecture for industrial use.
The assembly of nanoparticles at liquid-liquid interfaces provides valuable insights into their interactions with fluid interfaces, essential for various applications, including drug delivery. We focus on the shape and concentration effects of nanoscale particles on interfacial affinity. Using pendant drop tensiometry, we monitor the real-time interfacial tension between an oil droplet and an aqueous solution containing nanoparticles. We measure two different types of nanoparticles: spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and anisotropic gold nanorods (AuNRs), each functionalized with surfactants to enhance interfacial stability. Our findings demonstrate that anisotropic particles are a better design choice for drug delivery applications as they exhibit greater affinity for fluid interface attachment, a crucial requirement for efficient drug transport across cell membranes.
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