Coupled hybrid nanoparticles for improved dispersion stability of nanosuspensions: a review

Abstract

Dispersion stability of nanosuspensions attracts increasing attention in the past decades due to its significant effect on the thermal performance and phase behaviors of suspensions applied in various areas. The review of DLVO, steric stability, and depletion theories along with the detailed analysis of intermolecular forces was provided to elucidate the stability mechanism of hybrid nanoparticles in nanosuspensions. On this basis, mixed approach and coupled approach for achieving superior dispersion stability of hybrid nanosuspensions were specifically introduced. By using the coupled approach, the performance of phase behaviors can be largely promoted, preventing the nanoparticle aggregation as a result of the chemical bond formed in the fabrication process. The improved stability of coupled hybrid nanosuspensions enables the feasibility of the applications in heat and mass transfer and phase behavior–related fields, which are extensively reviewed in the current study. It is revealed that the thermal conductivity and phase behavior of hybrid nanoparticles are the dominant factors that need to be examined to improve abilities in heat transfer and colloidal control. With the development of fabrication techniques, it is promising that highly stabilized nanosuspensions such as GO nanoplatelets could be incorporated with drugs or genes for achieving targeted delivery, controlled release of drugs, and DNA transfer in complicated conditions. This indicates the value of stability promotion of nanosuspensions composed by coupled hybrid nanoparticles.