Tuning the Structure and Rheology of Polystyrene Particles at the Air–Water Interface by Varying the pH

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b01969
• Publication Date: 2016-06-22T21:28:37Z
• Authors: Domenico Truzzolillo; Hossameldeen Sharaf; Ulrich Jonas; Benoit Loppinet; Dimitris Vlassopo...
• Keywords: Polystyrene; Particle (ecology); Surface pressure

We form films of carboxylated polystyrene particles (C-PS) at the air–water interface and investigate effect subphase pH on their structure rheology by using a suite complementary experimental techniques. Our results suggest that electrostatic interactions drive stability structural order films. In particular, we show increasing from 9 up to 13, exhibit gradual transition solid liquidlike, which is accompanied loss long-range (that characterizes them lower values pH). Direct optical visualization layers, scanning electron microscopy, surface pressure isotherms indicate deposited three-dimensional structures involving clusters, with latter being suppressed quasi-2D particle configuration eventually reached highest values. Evidently, properties colloidal can be tailored significantly altering subphase.