Langmuir. 2017 Dec 26;33(51):14766-14771. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b03867. Epub 2017 Dec 13.

Understanding Solvent Spreading for Langmuir Deposition of Nanomaterial Films: A Hansen Solubility Parameter Approach.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids

Matthew J Large, Sean P Ogilvie, Alice A K King, Alan B Dalton

PMID: 29199834 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b03867

Abstract

To prepare high-quality Langmuir films of 2D materials it is important to select a solvent optimized for both exfoliation and spreading at the air-water interface. Whereas it is generally accepted that exfoliation and stabilization of 2D materials is well-described using the Hansen solubility parameter theory, a complementary description of solvent spreading behavior is lacking. To this end we develop an understanding of solvent spreading using a Hansen solubility parameter framework. Our model accurately predicts the behavior of both water-immiscible and water-miscible solvents in Langmuir film formation experiments. We demonstrate that spreading behavior can be modified by controlling the surface pressure of the subphase using an amphiphilic species and accordingly utilize this approach to determine the maximum spreading pressure for a selection of solvents. Ultimately, by building on this understanding we open up additional routes to optimize the preparation of Langmuir films of 2D materials and other nanoparticles.

Publication Types

• Journal Article