Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 7.32
The tetrathiafulvalene-based gelator that forms nanocomposites with
gold nanoparticles coated with similar structures containing only alkyl
chains or an amide function.
142
The AFM images shown correspond to
the composite's xerogels containing 1 weight per cent of the nanoparti-
cles. Below, the current-voltage sweeps from conducting AFM measure-
ments on the undoped xerogel, the iodine-doped xerogel, and the same
for the nanocomposite materials.
The use of precursors to electrically conducting material and magnetic
nanoparticles is an easy and potentially interesting way to generate nano-
composites comprised of components with these often synergic properties. The
preparation of this kind of material without recourse to the gel route is quite
challenging, particularly for the formation of crystals. The combination of the
same gelator used in the previous example of nanocomposite in hexane with an
oleate-coated iron oxide nanoparticle provided transparent gels (Figure 7.33)
with up to 50% by weight of the inorganic colloid.
143
The high degree of
loading was possible because of the great solubility of the inorganic colloid in
hydrocarbon solvents.
