Synthesis of amphiphilic V-type silica nanogels and study of their self-assembling at the air–water interface

Abstract

The methods for the synthesis of silica nanogels and a modifying agent, as well as related amphiphilic V-type silica nanogels are presented. Self-assembly of the synthesized amphi philic nanogels during the formation of Langmuir monolayers at the air–water interface is considered. Aggregate structures were revealed to form during ordering of the silica V-type nanogels at the air–water interface after collapse of the Langmuir monolayer. For the low-molecular-weight fraction of the silica nanogels, the aggregates do not completely decompose upon the expansion of the Langmuir layer since are formed by mutually penetrating macromolecules. For the highmolecular- weight fraction, they are reversibly formed and decompose in consecutive compression– expansion cycles, which is characteristic of Langmuir layers of nanoparticles.