BARC/PUB/10//0054

 
 

Use of small-angle neutron scattering to investigate modifications of internal structure in self-assembled grains of nanoparticles synthesized by spray drying

 
     
 
Author(s)

Sena, D.; Khan, A.; Bahadur, J.; Mazumder, S.; Sapra, B. K.

ABSTRACT

Micrometric spherical grains consisting of self-assembled silica nanoparticles have been synthesized by spray drying of colloidal suspension. Inter-particle correlation and available specific surface area of silica and void interfaces, in the assembled grains, were modified by addition of electrolyte in initial colloidal dispersion prior to self-assembly process but keeping the overall spherical shape of the assembled grains un-altered. While the external morphology of the assembled grains was probed by scanning electron microscopy, small-angle neutron scattering technique has been employed to investigate the modifications in the internal structure and the inter-particle correlation inside the assembled grains. It is revealed that a sticky hard sphere type of inter-particle correlation between the constituent particles gets altered to a fractal type of correlation with addition of electrolyte. Further, the specific surface area of the silica-void interface gets somewhat enhanced by addition of electrolyte and particularly at higher electrolyte concentration due to formation of some hollow and buckled assembled grains.

 
 
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