Electrostatic Self-Assembly: Understanding the Significance of the Solvent

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.7b00647
• Publication Date: 2017-12-18T18:31:38Z
• Authors: Eric B. Lindgren; Ivan N. Derbenev; Armik Khachatourian; Ho-Kei Chan; Anthony J. Stace; Elena Besley
• Keywords: Electrostatics; Surface charge; Particle (ecology); Static electricity

The electrostatic deposition of particles has become a very effective route to the assembly many nanoscale materials. However, fundamental limitations process are presented by choice solvent, which can either suppress or promote self-assembly depending on specific combinations nanoparticle/surface/solvent properties. A new development in theory interactions between polarizable objects provides insight into effect solvent have self-assembly. Critical is requirement for minimum charge surface an object, below attraction. Examples drawn from literature used illustrate how switches behavior mediated solvent; these turn provide understanding particle-surface applicable areas materials science and nanotechnology.