The Assembly and Jamming of Nanoparticle Surfactants at Liquid–Liquid Interfaces

Abstract

Using the interactions between nanoparticles (NPs) and polymeric ligands to generate nanoparticle surfactants (NPSs) at the liquid-liquid interface, the binding energy of the NP to the interface can be significantly increased, irreversibly binding the NPSs to the interface. By designing a simplified NPS model, where the NP size can be precisely controlled and the characteristic fluorescence of the NPs be used as a direct probe of their spatial distribution, we provide new insights into the attachment mechanism of NPSs at the liquid-liquid interface. We find that the binding energy of NPSs to the interface can be reduced by competitive ligands, resulting in the dissociation and disassembly of NPSs at the interface, and allowing the construction of responsive, reconfigurable all-liquid systems. Smaller NPSs that are loosely packed (unjammed) and irreversibly bound to the interface can be displaced by larger NPSs, giving rise to a size-dependent assembly of NPSs at the interface. However, when the smaller size NPSs are densely packed and jam at the interface, the size-dependent assembly of NPSs at the interface can be completely suppressed.

Polydopamine-Coated Self-Assembled Lipid Nanoparticles for Highly Effective Chemo–Photothermal Combination Therapy

“…15 The polymer-coated lipid-based self-assembly process is simple and has high encapsulation efficiency 16 and good biocompatibility, which can effectively overcome the above shortcomings. 17 Traditional cancer treatment methods, such as chemotherapy, chemodynamic therapy, 18,19 surgery, and combination therapy, 20 still face tumor multidrug resistance, 21 low efficacy, systemic side effects, and so on. 22 Therefore, a variety of combination therapy strategies have been designed to overcome the shortcomings of single therapy, 23 such as chemotherapy, phototherapy, photodynamic therapy, 24,25 immunotherapy 26,27 and so on.…”

“…In order to solve the above problems and combine the advantages of different types of nanoparticles, it is necessary to design new intelligent responsive nanoparticle drug delivery systems that are simple and effective . The polymer-coated lipid-based self-assembly process is simple and has high encapsulation efficiency and good biocompatibility, which can effectively overcome the above shortcomings …”

Self-Assembly of Cyclodextrin-Coated Nanoparticles:Fabrication of Functional Nanostructures for Sensing and Delivery

“…While discrete nanoparticles in solution are used for several applications such as imaging and sensing, their scope and functional attributes can be enormously broadened through their assembly into clusters or immobilization onto surfaces. Construction of complex and hierarchical structures based on nanoparticles entails the utilization of interactions based on molecular self-assembly that enables them to undergo directed self-assembly to yield desired structures [ 3 , 4 ]. Precise programming of cues at the molecular level allows the nano-building blocks to come together in an orchestrated manner to yield structures that would be otherwise difficult.…”

In Situ Endothelialization of Free‐Form 3D Network of Interconnected Tubular Channels via Interfacial Coacervation by Aqueous‐in‐Aqueous Embedded Bioprinting

“…Although liquid mediums permit the use of low-viscosity ink, aqueous structures constructed in viscous oils are not suitable for cell culturing. [30][31][32][33][34][35][36] Recently, we and others demonstrate a reconfigurable aqueous-in-aqueous embedded bioprinting method [37] by using cyto-mimic aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS). [38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] In this approach, the ultra-low interfacial tension between ATPS, the ink and medium phase, permit the usage of low-viscosity cell-laden inks.…”