Aqueous Nanoparticle Dispersions Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of Stable Aqueous Dispersion of Silver Nanoparticle Synthesized from Mangifera Indica and Azadirachta Indica Leaf Extract

Mango and neem leaf extract were prepared by soaking the measured leaves into 100ml of distilled water under appropriate conditions. Consequently, biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles was carried out by distinctly adding the mango and neem leaf extract to prepared solution of silver nitrate (AgNO3) to produce aqueous dispersion of silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles produced were investigated using FTIR, UV-Visible and AFM Spectroscopy at 15 minutes, 24 hours and 48 hours respectively. Reduction in OH absorption proves chemical interaction of mango extract with AgNO3. UV/Visible also revealed colour changes from faint yellow to brown to reddish brown within 15 minutes and 24 hours of incubation at room temperature. Atomic Force Microscopy revealed that the sizes of mango-based dispersion are smaller than that of neem-based dispersion.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Naphthalene in Aqueous Dispersion of Nanoparticles: Effect of Different Parameters

Photocatalytic Degradation of Naphthalene in Aqueous Dispersion of Nanoparticles: Effect of Different Parameters

The Role of Integrated Approach in the Determination of Nanoparticle Sizes in Dispersions

Aqueous dispersions of gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs) stabilized with sodium citrate, as well as polymeric NPs based on poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (70 : 30 mol %) stabilized with poly(vinyl alcohol) have been obtained. The sizes of NPs have been determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC). It has been shown that the diameter of both metallic and polymeric particles measured by TEM is significantly lower than their hydrodynamic diameter Dh determined by DLS. Moreover, it has been found that the Dh value obtained for the studied particles from DLS distributions is overestimated compared to that determined by AUC, because the AUC method is less sensitive to the particle size polydispersity and the presence of large objects in a dispersion.

Antimicrobial activity of aqueous dispersions of silver nanoparticles against pathogens of purulent-inflammatory diseases

Currently, metal nanostructures are widely used in medical, microbiological, and veterinary practice. Silver nanoparticles are especially promising as antimicrobial agents, becauseno published data regarding antimicrobial resistance are available. Whiledeveloping preparations based on metal nanoparticles, an important remainingissue is the choice of a stabilizer, introduction of which during the synthesis ensures the preservation of structures at the nanoscale range, and, consequently, relevant main characteristics, including biocidal properties. The object of the study was to investigate silver nanoparticle aqueous dispersions stabilized by natural and synthetic polymeric compounds. Routine strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were used as experimental models: S. aureus 209 P, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Proteus mirabilis ATCC 3177 (O-form), Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 31488, obtained from the Scientific Centre for Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products. The antimicrobial activity of diverse variants of silver nanoparticle aqueous dispersions was assessed by serial dilution platingon dense nutrient medium. In this work, we examined no effect of silver nanoparticles without stabilizers, because their absence led to rapid agglomeration of nanostructures and loss of nanoscale characteristics. The highest sensitivity of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was foundto the action of ansilver nanoparticle aqueous dispersions stabilized by polyazolidinammoniumand modified with iodine hydrate ions. Drug working concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 3% had a bactericidal effect against pathogens of purulent-inflammatory diseases, and the minimum working concentration of 0.125% led to decreased colony-forming units by 2057% for diverse bacterial strains. Silver nanoparticles stabilized with sodium dodecyl sulfate showed high efficiency against the studied test strainsprobably due to the high toxicity of the stabilizer used as was previously established during a comprehensive safety assessment using biotest objects and cell cultures. In this regard, its use as a component of antimicrobial preparations is not preferred. The results of the studies showed that among the variants of silver nanoparticle aqueous dispersions, preparations stabilized with polyvinyl alcohol and polyazolidinammonium modified with iodine hydrate ions are the most promising for use in biomedical practice, because they demonstrate a high level of antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as causative agents of purulent-inflammatory diseases and a low toxicity level. This allows us to recommend them as safe and effective antimicrobial components indisinfectants, as well as antiseptic preparations for prevention and treatment of skin and soft tissue infectious diseases.

Scanning pulsed laser ablation in liquids: An alternative route to obtaining biocompatible YbFe nanoparticles as multiplatform contrast agents for combined MRI and CT imaging

Ytterbium ferrites are being used in many promising applications, such as visible-light photocatalysis, solar cells, magnetooptic devices, electro-magnetic equipment, etc., due to their fantastic ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties. However, despite their good magnetic and radiopaque features, the use of ytterbium ferrites as multiplatform contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) is still under-developed. This is mainly due to difficulties in obtaining stable and biocompatible aqueous colloidal dispersions of ytterbium ferrite nanoparticles. In order to overcome this limitation, this work explores an eco-friendly method to directly synthesize such dispersions by liquid-assisted pulsed laser ablation of ytterbium ferrite massive targets. First, orthorhombic bulk YbFeO3 targets were obtained by a reaction-sintering method. Then, colloidal dispersions of nanoparticles were produced directly in both distilled water and ethanol by irradiating the bulk YbFeO3 targets with high-power infrared nanosecond lasers pulses. A battery of techniques has been used to characterize the as synthesized YbFeO3 targets and colloidal dispersions of YbFe nanoparticles to determine their composition, structure, magnetic properties, X-ray attenuation potentials, and colloidal properties. Moreover, the biocompatibility of the systems was also analysed by MTT cell viability assay. Results indicated that the use of distilled water as ablation medium yields colloidal dispersions consisted mainly of paramagnetic ytterbium ferrite nanoparticles. Contrarily, the use of ethanol as solvent leads to colloidal dispersions of polycrystalline nanoparticles with both ferromagnetic and paramagnetic behaviour, due to the coexistence, in each nanoparticle, of ytterbium ferrite, ytterbium oxide, and iron oxide crystalline phases. Both colloidal dispersions exhibit also high biocompatibility and suitable X-ray attenuation properties. Moreover, they show bio-safe hydrodynamic sizes (lower than 200 nm) with acceptable overall hydrodynamic polydispersity index values (under 0.4), being stable in water for several weeks. These results pave the way for the future evaluation of Yb–Fe based nanoparticles as multiplatform contrast agents in multimodal MRI and CT imaging.

Absolute Counting Method with Multiplexing Capability for Estimating the Number Concentration of Nanoparticles Using Anisotropically Collapsed Gels.

Number concentration─the number of nanoparticles in a given volume─is an important characteristic of any nanoparticle dispersion. However, its estimation for small nanoparticles (∼30 nm) is generally challenging. We introduce an absolute and widely applicable method for analyzing aqueous dispersions of nanoparticles. An innovative immobilization of nanomaterials in the anisotropically collapsed agarose gel is pioneered, followed by optical microscopy and nanoparticle counting. The number of counted nanoparticles is inherently coupled with sampled volume (517 pL) and translates to the number concentration. Photon-upconversion, fluorescence, bright-field, and dark-field microscopy techniques have been proven applicable and used for imaging lanthanide-doped photon-upconversion nanoparticles, their bioconjugates with antibodies, silica dye-doped fluorescent nanoparticles, quantum dots, and pure silica submicron particles. The precision and linearity were characterized by constructing a dilution series of photon-upconversion nanoparticles. The limit of detection was 2.0 × 106 mL-1, and the working range was from 4.4 × 107 to 2.2 × 1010 mL-1. The quantification of nanoparticle clusters was achieved by a thorough analysis of the micrographs. The accuracy was confirmed using gravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy as a reference. Multiplexed detection of two nanoparticle types in a mixed dispersion was feasibly demonstrated. The low thickness of the collapsed gel (<1 μm) supported extremely sensitive imaging. This was proven by imaging Tm3+-doped photon-upconversion nanoparticles (17 nm hydrodynamic diameter) with a nanoparticle emission rate of only ∼900 photons/s at a wavelength of 800 nm (excitation wavelength 976 nm).

The effects of co-exposures of Zea mays plant to the photon-upconversion nanoparticles; does the size or composition play an important role?

This work thoroughly describes how three different types of photon-upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) that differ in size or composition influence a model plant Zea mays. This plant was treated with an aqueous dispersion of nanoparticles in a hydroponic short-term toxicity test (168 h) in three different concentrations (0.5, 5, and 25 μg/mL of yttrium). The plants were exposed in a single toxicity test as well as in so-called co-exposures where the plants were in direct contact with the nanoparticles of different sizes (hydrodynamic diameter 25.9 nm and 58.2 nm) or with different compositions (doped with gadolinium and thulium or with erbium ions) at the same time. After the exposure, basic macroscopic toxicity end-points were monitored. The translocation of nanoparticles across the whole plant was evaluated by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (lateral resolution of 26 and 100 μm) and by photon-upconversion microscanning (lateral resolution of 40 μm). Also, the total content of elements contained in plants was measured for the underground (root and coleoptile) and above-ground (primary leaf) parts separately using Inductively-Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy. Afterwards, bioaccumulation and translocation factors were evaluated. Our results indicated significant toxicity of all tested exposures groups for Z. mays plant. The main bioaccumulation site was the underground part, whereas the transfer to the above-ground part was minimal. Also, the UCNPs showed a low stability and led to a notable release of ions.

Development and Testing of Castables with Low Content of Calcium Oxide.

Colloidal silica is used in many kinds of industry. It is an aqueous dispersion of SiO2 nanoparticles. SiO2 colloidal solutions are commercially available in different concentrations, with different particle sizes and are stabilized with different ions. Colloidal SiO2 was used in this study as a cement replacement in refractory castable. The present study, in its first stage, offers an assessment of five different SiO2 colloidal solutions. The particle size of the solutions was 15 nm, the particle concentration was 30% and 40% and the colloidal solutions were stabilized with Na+, OH− and Cl− ions. The effect of the colloidal solutions on selected characteristics of the refractory pastes and on their mineralogical composition after firing at 1000 °C and 1500 °C was described. The most suitable SiO2 colloidal solution from the first stage was subsequently used for the refractory castable test samples’ preparation in the second stage. Refractory castables, unlike paste, contain a coarse aggregate (grog) up to a grain size of 6 mm. Four types of coarse refractory grog were evaluated. Their effect on selected characteristics of the refractory castable and on its mineralogical composition after firing at 1000 °C and 1500 °C was described. The selected characteristics, within the scope of this study, include bulk density, apparent porosity, cold modulus of rupture and linear changes after firing. Finally, the study describes the effect of the sol particle concentration and the effect of pore size distribution on corrosion resistance and on the internal structure of the material. Mineral and chemical compositions and microstructures of both the raw materials and designed aggregates were thoroughly investigated by the means of X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. An analysis of the transition zone between corrosive media (K2CO3) and tested castables showed better corrosion resistance for a sol-gel castable than an ultra-low cement castable.

Water-soluble ZnO quantum dots modified by polyglycerol: The pH-sensitive and targeted fluorescent probe for delivery of an anticancer drug

Efficacious specific anticancer drug delivery on the tumor site is the basic title of many investigations. In this paper we reported photoluminescence ZnO quantum dots (ZnO QDs) as a pH-responsive platform for delivery of anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). Biocompatible ZnO QDs was synthesized using zinc acetate in the alkaline medium. To improve the nanoparticles aqueous dispersion, ZnO QDs are directly functionalized with polyglycerol (PG) through ring-opening polymerization of glycidol. Moreover, folic acid was conjugated to the end of polyglycerol chains through esterification reaction to target the nanoparticles for cancer cells (ZnO QD-PG-FA). These nanocarriers were characterized by different techniques. The HRTEM images confirmed a final size of about 10 nm for ZnO QD-PG-FA. Doxorubicin was loaded on the ZnO QD-PG-FA in a different carrier: drug weight ratios. The photoluminescence property of ZnO QDs was remained after surface modification with PG, FA, and drug loading. The results showed that the drug was immediately released in acidic intracellular environments of tumor cells, while at neutral pH the complex was stable. Cell cytotoxicity assay confirmed the antitumor activity of DOX-ZnO QDs-PG-FA. Therefore, ZnO QD-PG-FA provides a valuable platform that can use as a diagnostic, targeting, and pH-responsive delivery of anticancer drug for tumor therapy.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using nanocurcumin extracted from fresh turmeric of Vietnam

Abstract This study presents a novel process to synthesize curcumin nanoparticles from fresh turmeric. An ultrasonic-assisted cajeput oil in water emulsion technique was used to synthesize nanocurcumin. The prepared nanocurcumin was spherical with an average size of 47 nm and size distribution of 5–80 nm. The synthesized nanocurcumin showed improved aqueous-phase solubility, and it was used as a reducing agent and stabilizer for biosynthesizing silver nanoparticles. Furthermore, the X-ray diffraction pattern of the silver nanoparticles showed four distinct diffraction peaks at 38.3°, 44.6°, 65.1°, and 78.1° corresponding to the lattice planes of face-centered cubic silver ((111), (200), (220), and (311)). Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated the average size and maximum size distribution (80 %) of the silver nanoparticles were 10.9 nm and 5–15 nm, respectively. UV–visible spectroscopy measurement of samples indicated the localized surface plasmon resonance absorbance of an aqueous dispersion of silver nanoparticles at 406 nm. Zeta potential analysis revealed a negative charge with a magnitude of −27.2 mV, which indicated higher aqueous dispersion stability of the silver nanoparticles prepared from nanocurcumin. The nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Controlling adsorption density of polymer-stabilised metal nanoparticles at the oil–water interface

Emulsion droplets offer an alternative to solid supports as templates for the deposition of metallic nanoparticles. An emulsion interface provides the opportunity to exploit both sides of the nanoparticles and to utilise the liquid core as a microreactor in addition to forming a scaffold for encapsulation. However, despite the extensive literature studying a very broad range of factors influencing the characteristics of particle-stabilised (Pickering) emulsions, most reports focus on particles of diameters >100 nm and a very small proportions consider particles of diameters <10 nm. For catalytic purposes of course, the latter species are of utmost interest. Here, we report the synthesis of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) stabilised platinum nanoparticles, where the platinum core ranges between 3 and 5 nm in diameter and their subsequent use as emulsifiers for the oil–water interface where they form a densely packed layer. The nanoparticle density at the interface is quantified by both measuring the remaining concentration of nanoparticles in the aqueous phase after adsorption and also directly at the oil–water interface via cryo-TEM. The effect of electrolyte concentration and of addition of excess PVP in the bulk aqueous nanoparticle dispersion prior to emulsification on the resulting nanoparticle density at the oil–water interface is also determined.

Gummy Nanoparticles with Glassy Shells in Electrostatic Nanocomposites.

Nanocomposites with unusual and superior properties often contain well-dispersed nanoparticles. Polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS, offers a fluidlike or rubbery (when cross-linked) response, which complements the high-modulus nature of inorganic nanofillers. Systems using PDMS as the nanoparticulate, rather than the continuous, phase are rare because it is difficult to make PDMS nanoparticles. Aqueous dispersions of hydrophobic polymer nanoparticles must survive the considerable contrast in hydrophobicity between water and the polymer component. This challenge is often met with a shell of hydrophilic polymer or by adding surfactant. In the present work, two critical advances for making and using aqueous colloidal dispersions of PDMS are reported. First, PDMS nanoparticles with charged amino end groups were prepared by flash nanoprecipitation in aqueous solutions. Adding a negative polyelectrolyte, poly(styrene sulfonate), PSS, endowed the nanoparticles with a glassy shell, stabilizing them against aggregation. Second, when compressed into a nanocomposite, the small amount of PSS leads to a large increase in bulk modulus. X-ray scattering studies revealed the hierarchical nanostructuring within the composite, with a 4 nm PDMS micelle as the smallest unit. This class of nanoparticle and nanocomposite presents a new paradigm for stabilizing liquidlike building blocks for nanomaterials.

Functional Droplets Stabilized by Interfacially Self‐Assembled Chiral Nanocomposites

AbstractHere, we show that aqueous dispersions of inorganic nanoparticles bearing negative surface charges would trigger the chiral assembly of organic radical cations solubilized in organic solvent at the liquid–liquid interface, which consequently produces stable droplets covered by a layer of inorganic/organic chiral nanocomposites. We demonstrate that chirality transfer across the liquid–liquid interface from the chiral organic monomers to the nanoparticle assemblies is realized. Surprisingly, opposite handedness between molecular assemblies and nanoparticle assemblies is determined from both CD and CPL measurements. Moreover, the functionalities of these “chiral” droplets could be further engineered through either a simple mixing or a droplet merging strategy, which enables to produce fluorescent emissive‐tunable, magnetic, as well as magnetofluorescent dual‐functional droplets.

Functional Droplets Stabilized by Interfacially Self-Assembled Chiral Nanocomposites.

Here, we show that aqueous dispersions of inorganic nanoparticles bearing negative surface charges would trigger the chiral assembly of organic radical cations solubilized in organic solvent at the liquid-liquid interface, which consequently produces stable droplets covered by a layer of inorganic/organic chiral nanocomposites. We demonstrate that chirality transfer across the liquid-liquid interface from the chiral organic monomers to the nanoparticle assemblies is realized. Surprisingly, opposite handedness between molecular assemblies and nanoparticle assemblies is determined from both CD and CPL measurements. Moreover, the functionalities of these "chiral" droplets could be further engineered through either a simple mixing or a droplet merging strategy, which enables to produce fluorescent emissive-tunable, magnetic, as well as magnetofluorescent dual-functional droplets.

Effect of Foliar Treatment with Aqueous Dispersions of Silver Nanoparticles on Legume-Rhizobium Symbiosis and Yield of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.)

Interest in the use of silver as a component of plant protection products and growth regulators appeared relatively recently with the development of methods for the effective stabilization of colloidal systems containing nanoparticles of this metal. In the present work, we studied the effect of foliar treatments with aqueous dispersions of silver nanoparticles stabilized by polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride with an average diameter of 6 ± 1 nm and a zeta-potential of +47.4 ± 1.3 mV on legume-Rhizobium symbiosis, which largely determines the efficiency of soil nitrogen assimilation and the yield of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.). Based on the results of a two-year field experiment, it was shown that treatments with low doses of silver nanoparticles lead to a significant increase in the number of root nodules and an increase in soybean yield. The observed biological effectiveness of silver nanoparticles dispersions is explained by an increase in the enzymatic activity of peroxidases and polyphenol oxidases in the terrestrial part of plants. It is very likely that the treatment with silver nanoparticles and the increase in peroxidase activity in non-infected parts of the plant lead to a more effective prevention of the penetration of rhizobacteria into the aboveground soybean organs, which, in turn, may be the reason for the observed decrease in the activity of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase in parts of plant roots susceptible to rhizobia. The latter, as is known, contributes to an easier flow of the nodulation process and the development of legume–Rhizobium symbiosis.

Microfluidics: Continuous‐Flow Synthesis of Nanoparticle Dispersions for the Fabrication of Organic Solar Cells

AbstractState‐of‐the‐art solvents for the fabrication of organic solar cells are mostly toxic or hazardous. First attempts to deposit light‐harvesting layers from aqueous or alcoholic nanoparticle dispersions instead have been successful on laboratory scale, enabling future eco‐friendly production of organic solar cells. In this work, a scalable high‐throughput continuous‐flow microfluidic system is employed to synthesize surfactant‐free organic semiconductor dispersions by nanoprecipitation. By adjusting the differential speed of the syringe pumps, the concentration of the initial solute and the irradiation of the microfluidic chip, the synthesis can be controlled for tailored dispersion concentrations and nanoparticle sizes. The resulting dispersions are highly reproducible, and the semiconductor inks are stable for at least one year. The synthesis of the dispersions is exemplified on a polymer/fullerene combination with large‐scale availability.

Dual nature of magnetic nanoparticle dispersions enables control over short-range attraction and long-range repulsion interactions

Competition between attractive and repulsive interactions drives the formation of complex phases in colloidal suspensions. A major experimental challenge lies in decoupling independent roles of attractive and repulsive forces in governing the equilibrium morphology and long-range spatial distribution of assemblies. Here, we uncover the ‘dual nature’ of magnetic nanoparticle dispersions, particulate and continuous, enabling control of the short-range attraction and long-range repulsion (SALR) between suspended microparticles. We show that non-magnetic microparticles suspended in an aqueous magnetic nanoparticle dispersion simultaneously experience a short-range depletion attraction due to the particulate nature of the fluid in competition with an in situ tunable long-range magnetic dipolar repulsion attributed to the continuous nature of the fluid. The study presents an experimental platform for achieving in situ control over SALR between colloids leading to the formation of reconfigurable structures of unusual morphologies, which are not obtained using external fields or depletion interactions alone.

Photodynamic activity of water dispersion of gold nanoparticles for treating experimental purulent wounds

Introduction. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is one of the highly effective techniques for treating infectious lesions of the skin and soft tissues. However, the search for safe photosensitizers remains relevant.Purpose: to study the application of aqueous dispersion of gold nanoparticles as a potential photosensitizer for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in experimental purulent wounds.Material and methods. Photosensitizing ability of aqueous dispersion of gold nanoparticles stabilized with polyvinyl alcohol was studied on experimental full-thickness purulent wounds in rats. Semiconductor laser (Alcom Medica, St. Petersburg) with wavelength 405 nm was used.Results. It has been found out that pretreatment of wounds with nanostructures followed by photodynamic exposure gives a 1.6-fold reduction of healing process of wound defects in laboratory animals compared to the control group. in experimental animals, an effective cleansing of wounds from purulent contents was observed as well.Conclusion. An aqueous dispersion of gold nanoparticles stabilized with polyvinyl alcohol can be considered as an effective photosensitizer for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.

Nanocomposite Coatings Based on Polyvinyl Alcohol and Montmorillonite for High-Barrier Food Packaging.

Materials with high barrier properties against oxygen are required for the packaging of many sensitive foods. Since commodity polymers lack these properties, additional barrier materials are used in plastic-based barrier packaging. These are usually more expensive than commodity polymers and, in higher fractions, also make recycling more difficult. Current developments, therefore, aim at barrier layers that are as thin as possible but retain the barrier properties. One approach is to incorporate nanoparticles into these layers. In this study, the barrier properties of nanocomposite coatings, consisting of unmodified polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and dispersed stick-shaped halloysite (Hal) or platelet-shaped montmorillonite (MMT) silicate nanoparticles, were investigated. The PVA was dissolved in aqueous nanoparticle dispersions, which were prepared by mechanical shearing, to produce the so-called “nanolacquer.” Nanolacquers with nanoparticle concentrations of 7, 30, and 47 vol% with respect to PVA were applied in a single process step with k-bar on a polypropylene substrate film. The integration of 30 vol% platelet-shaped MMT enhances the barrier performance in comparison to pure PVA by a factor of 12 and 17 for oxygen and helium, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows a homogeneous distribution and a parallel alignment of the nanoparticles within the coated layer. An increase in the crystallinity of PVA was observed due to the nanoparticle integration as demonstrated by x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The investigation by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and the activation energy of the permeation coefficient indicate an interaction between the nanoparticles and the PVA. The theoretically calculated values for barrier enhancement accord well with the experimental values, which emphasizes that the gas barrier improvement for oxygen and helium is mainly dominated by the tortuous path effect.

Transformer-Induced Metamorphosis of Polymeric Nanoparticle Shape at Room Temperature.

Controlled polymerizations have enabled the production of nanostructured materials with different shapes, each exhibiting distinct properties. Despite the importance of shape, current morphological transformation strategies are limited in polymer scope, alter the chemical structure, require high temperatures, and are fairly tedious. Herein we present a rapid and versatile morphological transformation strategy that operates at room temperature and does not impair the chemical structure of the constituent polymers. By simply adding a molecular transformer to an aqueous dispersion of polymeric nanoparticles, a rapid evolution to the next higher‐order morphology was observed, yielding a range of morphologies from a single starting material. Significantly, this approach can be applied to nanoparticles produced by disparate block copolymers obtained by various synthetic techniques including emulsion polymerization, polymerization‐induced self‐assembly and traditional solution self‐assembly.