Parametric study on the stabilization of metal oxide nanoparticles in organic solvents: A case study with indium tin oxide (ITO) and heptane

Abstract

The tendency of nanoparticles (NPs) to form large aggregates has been a major limitation to their widespread applications where utilizing monodisperse and stable suspension of NPs is essential. The aggregation of NPs becomes more challenging when there is less affinity between the dispersed phase (NPs) and the continuous phase (solvent), such as, dispersion of hydrophilic metal oxide NPs into a nonpolar (organic) solvent. The objective of this study is to systematically investigate the synergistic effects of eight dispersion parameters on the size and stability of indium tin oxide (ITO) NPs in heptane. The matrix of experimentation was designed using an L Taguchi method. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the experimental results revealed that the most significant factors on the size and stability of NPs were the mass of ITO NPs and the volume of the dispersing agent. Taguchi signal-to-noise (SN) ratio analysis was used to determine the optimal factor levels for the preparation of well-dispersed and stable NP suspensions. Confirmation tests were carried out at the suggested levels of the ANOVA predictive model, and highly stable ITO NPs in heptane with the size distribution of 43.0-68.3nm were obtained. The results of the present parametric study can be used for a broad range of applications where effective stabilization of metal oxide NPs in organic solvents is desired.

Doped iron oxide scaffolds with gradient porosity fabricated by freeze casting: Pore morphology prediction and processing parameters

“…The processing conditions appear to be as important as the cooling procedure itself. Slurry sonication decreased the initial particle size by breaking down the agglomerates; nevertheless, a short period of sonication time was needed in order to reduce the particle re-agglomeration tendency by the dispersant detachment [32]. The reduction of the particle size by sonication would increase and could generate more nucleation sites during camphene solidification.…”

Coupled Oxides/LLDPE Composites for Textile Effluent Treatment: Effect of Neem and PVA Stabilization

“…This result suggests that surface stabilization with PVA and Neem had reduced agglomeration of coupled oxides. This improvement in particle dispersion occurred due to the long and branched alkyl chains that induced substantial steric hindrance to repel the particles [31,32]. Furthermore, Smith et al reported that zeta potential does not have a significant effect on repulsive electrostatic interaction to stabilize catalysts in nonpolar solvent.…”

“…A bulky ligand often leads to higher stability of the nanoparticle-ligand system [34]. alkyl chains that induced substantial steric hindrance to repel the particles [31,32]. Furthermore, Smith et al reported that zeta potential does not have a significant effect on repulsive electrostatic interaction to stabilize catalysts in nonpolar solvent.…”