Facet-dependent dispersion and aggregation of aqueous hematite nanoparticles.

ABSTRACT: Nanoparticle aggregates in solution controls surface reactivity and function. Complete dispersion often requires additive sorbents to impart a net repulsive interaction between particles. Facet engineering of nanocrystals offers an alternative approach to produce monodisperse suspensions simply based on facet-specific interaction with solvent molecules. Here, we measure the dispersion/aggregation of three morphologies of hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles in varied aqueous solutions using ex situ electron microscopy and in situ small-angle x-ray scattering. We demonstrate a unique tendency of (104) hematite nanoparticles to maintain a monodisperse state across a wide range of solution conditions not observed with (001)- and (116)-dominated particles. Density functional

SUBMITTER: Zhou J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10866548 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature