Comparative Dispersibility of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Ag Nanoparticles in Aqueous Media

This demonstration was designed to visualize modification of nanoparticle surfaces through changing of optical properties and stability of their dispersions. Bare silver nanoparticles demonstrate high tendency to agglomeration in water. In order to convert their surfaces to hydrophobic and reduce their surface energy, the nanoparticles were modified by thiolation with 1-octadecanethiol. Due to formed protective self-assembled monolayer of alkyl groups, capped nanoparticles acquired high dispersibility in aqueous media.