Issue 26, 2017

Detection of single metal nanoparticle collision events in non-aqueous media

Abstract

In this work, the detection of metal nanoparticle collision events in a non-aqueous solvent—here, toluene and acetonitrile—using gold nanoparticles and a platinum ultramicroelectrode (UME) is reported. The collisions were monitored by the oxidation of tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) under diffusion-dominated conditions. Based on the current response, it was observed that the current steps were indicative of a mediated Faradaic reaction. Current steps as small as 1–2 pA could be clearly observed. Larger current steps were caused by agglomeration of the nanoparticles attributed to the polarity of the mixed solvent. The experimentally observed collisions per second ranged from 0.07 to 0.51, indicating that particle agglomeration in solution occurs rapidly, reversibly and can subsequently cause rapid and, often, repeated collisions.

Graphical abstract: Detection of single metal nanoparticle collision events in non-aqueous media

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
08 May 2017
Accepted
15 Jun 2017
First published
16 Jun 2017

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017,19, 17256-17262

Detection of single metal nanoparticle collision events in non-aqueous media

B. H. Meekins, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017, 19, 17256 DOI: 10.1039/C7CP03042H

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