Scalable Synthesis of Self-Assembling Amphiphilic Nanoparticle Clusters Based On Steric Surface Stabilization

In this talk we present a simple, scalable method to generate self-assembling clusters of amphiphilic nanoparticles. The method is based on the steric stabilization of the particle surface using hydrophilic polymers. Small angle scattering (SAXS and SANS), optical spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering are utilized to probe the equilibrium structure of clusters in solution as a function of the composition of the surface. We find that the cluster geometry can be effectively ‘fine-tuned' by carefully controlling steric interactions of the absorbed molecules in the surface. The new method is extremely simple, inexpensive and does not require any specialized chemistry. Furthermore, it can also be extended to the formation of complex stable clusters based on nanoparticles of variable composition that could result in novel material properties.