Mechanisms of synthesis and self-assembly of uniform colloids and nanoparticles

Vladimir Privman

Robert A. Plane Professor

Department of Physics

Clarkson University

www.clarkson.edu/Privman

Monday - April 09, 2007

3:00pm - 4:00 pm

218 - Natural Science Center

The importance of well-defined dispersions of particles of different shapes, ranging in sizes from nanometer to colloidal, has been widely recognized in applications and in basic studies of advanced materials. Our program endeavors to advance understanding of formation of uniform particles of simple and composite structure, with focus on synthesis involving self-assembly of nanosize particles and their new unique properties for dimensions smaller than the typical submicron-size colloid scales. Presently, there is convincing experimental evidence that many monodispersed colloids of various shapes, obtained by precipitation in solutions, are formed by aggregation of such nanosize units. We will survey our recent theoretical explanation of this process, which expands the LaMer?s classical model of formation of uniform particles, and offers an interesting link between nanosize and micrometer size particles.