A nanosheet molding method to estimate the size of bilayers suspended in liquids

Abstract

We have successfully evaluated the dynamics of bilayers of the hyperswollen lamellar phase by observing palladium nanosheets growing in the bilayers. This method can measure the size of such stimuli-sensitive bilayer structures in situ.

Synthesis of Cu 2 O nanourchins from Cu nanosheets synthesised in hydrophilic bilayers of hyperswollen lamellar phase

“…We can confirm the stability of the HL phase by observing its birefringence using a polarizing film wrapped around the vessel because the birefringence reflects the stability of the HL phases, as shown in Figure 2a. [18] The polarized photograph of the TRAP solution consisting of heptane (90.1 wt%), Brij L4 (6.9 wt%), a mixture containing tetraethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C12E4) as the main component, water (1.9 wt%), and methanol (1.0 wt%) shows birefringence typical of HL phases, as shown in Figure 2b. The upper half of the vessel is empty, and the lower half contains the solution.…”

“…[14], [15] We named this method the 'two-dimensional reactors in amphiphilic phases (TRAP)' method. [16]- [18] The TRAPs prevent NSs from aggregating because they keep several hundred nm intervals from each other. This method gives a suspension of free-standing NSs with several nm thicknesses.…”

“…The TRAP method can control the size of NSs by changing the shear stress and composition of the HL phase solution; they decide the bilayer width and thickness. [18] - [20] The NSs are composed of small crystallites with random orientations. Here, we report the synthesis method of Cu2O nanourchins from CuNSs.…”

Bottom‐up Synthesis of Nanosheets at Various Interfaces

“…The width of the NSs obtained from the TRAP method can be controlled by the shear stress of the system and the stability of the HL phase [46c,e,f] . Besides, the TRAP method could be applied to mass production by scaling up the reaction vessel and microflow synthesis.…”