4.2 Nanoparticle Shape and Size
85
Horizontal distance (nm)
Height (nm)
B 13
A 13
A13
B13
Horizontal distance (nm)
B 14 )
A 14 )
A14
B14
A12
B12
Horizontal distance (nm)
Height (nm)
B 12
A 12
Height (nm)
(a)
(b)
(d)
(c)
(e)
(f)
Fig. 4.1 AFM characterisation of different nanoparticles: AFM images of a HNTs, c Cloisite 30B
clays and e NBCs deposited on mica substrate in aqueous solutions, and height profiles of b HNTs,
d Cloisite 30B clays and f NBCs at typical cut sections A 12 -B 12 , A 13 -B 13 and A 14 -B 14 , respectively
[12]
particle diameter of approximately 100.75 ± 6.5 nm according to 925 measured clay
particles, while their thickness varies from 1.69 to 5.9 nm, which is exemplified by
cross-sectional analysis for a typical cut section (A 13 -B 13 ) illustrated in Fig. 4.1d.
These results suggest that clay platelet-like layered structures can consist of single
platelet with the thickness of nearly 1 nm [13], as well as stacked layered platelets,
apparently indicating the combined effect of clay exfoliation and intercalation. The
size of NBCs was determined previously to be 69.43 nm in average size [4], as
shown in Fig. 4.1e, f, which can be considered as 3D anisotropic nanoparticles when
compared with 1D platelet-like Cloisite 30B clays and 2D HNTs.
85
Horizontal distance (nm)
Height (nm)
B 13
A 13
A13
B13
Horizontal distance (nm)
B 14 )
A 14 )
A14
B14
A12
B12
Horizontal distance (nm)
Height (nm)
B 12
A 12
Height (nm)
(a)
(b)
(d)
(c)
(e)
(f)
Fig. 4.1 AFM characterisation of different nanoparticles: AFM images of a HNTs, c Cloisite 30B
clays and e NBCs deposited on mica substrate in aqueous solutions, and height profiles of b HNTs,
d Cloisite 30B clays and f NBCs at typical cut sections A 12 -B 12 , A 13 -B 13 and A 14 -B 14 , respectively
[12]
particle diameter of approximately 100.75 ± 6.5 nm according to 925 measured clay
particles, while their thickness varies from 1.69 to 5.9 nm, which is exemplified by
cross-sectional analysis for a typical cut section (A 13 -B 13 ) illustrated in Fig. 4.1d.
These results suggest that clay platelet-like layered structures can consist of single
platelet with the thickness of nearly 1 nm [13], as well as stacked layered platelets,
apparently indicating the combined effect of clay exfoliation and intercalation. The
size of NBCs was determined previously to be 69.43 nm in average size [4], as
shown in Fig. 4.1e, f, which can be considered as 3D anisotropic nanoparticles when
compared with 1D platelet-like Cloisite 30B clays and 2D HNTs.