Self-assembly of nanoparticles and surfactant molecules at the gas-liquid interface

Abstract

Gas-liquid interface models consist of SiO2 nanoparticles and typical surfactant molecules were used to investigate the interface properties using molecular dynamics simulations. The surfactant molecules were found being self-assembled to the nanoparticles, and prefer the gas-liquid interface. By comparing the effects of different surfactant molecules on the interface structures and molecular mobility, the adsorption behaviours of nanoparticles onto the interface were revealed, and the corresponding interface properties were quantitatively illustrated.