Generation of Nanodroplet Reactors and Their Applications in In Situ Controllable Synthesis and Transportation of Ag Nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanodroplets have been paid great attention as they are crucial for a wide range of physical, chemical, and biological applications. In this paper, monodispersed nanodroplets are prepared and their directed motions are realized through conducting the formation of nonuniform structures via altering the ionic distribution within; all these dynamics have been observed by using in situ transmission electron microscopy liquid cell technology. It has been found that their transformation from random motion to directed motion is reversible. Moreover, combining multiple directed motions enables long‐distance travel with directed motion taking up 95% of the total time. The results here also prove that aqueous nanodroplets can slide directionally on the hydrophilic surface like droplets sliding on hydrophobic surface. Furthermore, the authors successfully achieve the unidirectional transportation of in situ prepared Ag nanoparticles by using the nanodroplets as nanoreactor, carrier, and transporter. The size and number of as‐prepared Ag nanoparticles can be quantitatively controlled. In summary, this research provides a new strategy for real‐time generation and precise manipulation of aqueous nanodroplets. Together with the quantitatively controllable in situ synthesis of Ag nanoparticles within the nanodroplets, this work can prove their promising applications in many fields.

Sequential droplet reactions for surface-bound gold nanocrater array

“…Faster reduction of gold-thiol complex may explain the shape of gold craters observed in this work. This mechanism is consistent with our latest work, where faster reaction rate along the rim was attributed to the faster microbubble formation from the gas product in the droplet reaction [46,47].…”

Sustainable Exploitation and Commercialization of Ultradense Nanobubbles: Reinventing Liquidity

“…ACS SCE will encourage rapid publication of emerging directions and in-depth investigations of phenomena and applications in the area. Parallel to the developments in NBs, we are aware of the emerging science in the area of droplets, where accelerated reactions, , new phenomena, , and synthesis and transformation of nanomaterials , are attracting attention, which can also contribute to sustainability by controlling fluids at smaller length scales.…”

Graphene‐Assisted Chemical Stabilization of Liquid Metal Nano Droplets for Liquid Metal Based Energy Storage

“…In fact, in other application contexts, several groups studied the development of printable conductive inks and composites through the transformation of the bulk LM into micro/nano droplets through ultrasonic force. [19][20][21][22] However, these microdroplets cannot be directly employed as electrodes in energy storage applications. This is because these droplets are naturally stabilized by an ultrathin (≈3 nm) [23,24] gallium oxide shell that spontaneously develops on the surface.…”