Colloid Thermodynamic Effect as the Universal Driving Force for Fabricating Various Functional Composite Particles

Abstract

The design and fabrication of functional nanocomposites is an active area of research because composite particles have significantly improved physical and chemical properties over those of their single-component counterparts. Traditionally, chemical pretreatments of the components were used to enhance their physicochemical or chemical interactions. Here, we propose a novel approach to taking advantage of the beauty of thermodynamics. A series of functional materials, including graphene nanosheets, carbon nanotubes, noble metals, magnetic materials, conducting polymers, attapulgite, and etc. were incorporated with polystyrene particles by a thermodynamic driving force. This unique approach is facile and versatile and shows the considerable significance of developments in both scientific methodology and particle engineering.

A facile and efficient synthesis of polystyrene/gold–platinum composite particles and their application for aerobic oxidation of alcohols in water

“…In this communication, we report a facile and effective route to coat the PS microspheres with Au-Pt alloy nanoparticles based on a thermodynamic effect. [17][18][19][20][21] The advantage of our approach relies on the fact that surface pretreatment is not required for the deposition of alloy nanoparticles on support microspheres. More importantly, the resultant PS/Au-Pt composite particles can be used as highly active and recyclable catalysts for aerobic oxidation of alcohols in an ideal green process.…”

“…[17][18][19][20][21] The advantage of our approach relies on the fact that surface pretreatment is not required for the deposition of alloy nanoparticles on support microspheres. [17][18][19][20][21] The advantage of our approach relies on the fact that surface pretreatment is not required for the deposition of alloy nanoparticles on support microspheres.…”

Constructing of Highly Ordered 3D Network of Carbon Nanotube inside Polymer Matrix and the Improvements in Properties of the Composites

“…This thermodynamic driving effect has been demonstrated in many binary colloidal mixtures using different nano-sized functional units. [23] Furthermore, as the MWCNTs clung to the surface of PS microspheres at a fairly close distance, strong π electrons interaction should begin to take effect, which is derived from aromatic organic molecules and the basal plane of carbon nanotubes. Figure 2 shows scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of PS/MWCNTs composite particles with different weight ratios of MWCNTs.…”

PS Microspheres Coated by AuNPs via Thermodynamic Driving Heterocoagulation and Their High Catalytic Activity

“…In the system, the coating of AuNPs directly reduces the interface area between PS microspheres and the medium, thus decreasing the interfacial energy of the system. The thermodynamically driving effect has been demonstrated in many binary colloidal mixtures using different nano‐sized functional units …”