Effects of the Intermicellar Exchange on the Size Control of Nanoparticles Synthesized in Microemulsions

Abstract

The effect of the intermicellar exchange on the size control of nanoparticles synthesized in microemulsions has been studied by computer simulation. The employed algorithm includes a reactant exchange parameter, k, which depends on the surfactant film flexibility and the dimer lifetime. This parameter, k, has a big influence on the final particle size, except in the case that one of the reactants is in a big excess. It has also been proven that a critical value of the reactant exchange parameter exists, which determines the relative weights of the two mechanisms of growth: autocatalysis and ripening. It is then predicted that there is an optimum dimer lifetime for which the smallest particles can be obtained.