Tuning the morphology of metal deposits at liquid-liquid interfaces: nanoparticles, nanowires and super smooth films

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Fritz Scholz
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry ; Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation
• Term: from 2007 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 52629548

The deposition of metals can be accomplished at liquid|liquid interfaces with the help of interfacial redox reactions. The latter can be driven by appropriate activities of a reducing agent in one liquid phase and the metal ion activity in the second phase. In a preliminary study it has been shown that the ratio of activities of metal ions in phase I and of the reducing species in phase II decides about the morphology of metal deposits. Thus the precipitation of silver can be tuned to produce granulous, filamentous (whiskers) or film deposits. The present project is focused (i) on a systematic study of metal depositions of various metals and alloys, (ii) on elucidation the reasons for the structural changes achieved by variations of the experimental conditions, (iii) experiments for plating of metals on graphite particles at liquid|liquid interfaces. The objective of the project is to find new routes to the synthesis of new materials, and to understand the physical chemistry behind the interfacial reactions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants