Benoit Pichon

ABSTRACT Arrays of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) represent a very interesting challenge toward the development of new devices for magnetic applications such as data storage and spintronic. The final properties of such assemblies depending essentially on the spatial arrangement of NPs, it is of first importance to investigate precisely their structure. Here, the structure of monolayer and multilayer films of magnetic iron oxide NPs assembled by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique has been studied by usual techniques such as SEM, AFM and ellipsometry and by a new and an easy to process enhanced optical technique: the Surface Enhancement Ellipsometry Contrast (SEEC) microscopy. This technique is based on the use of a new generation of microscope slides used as substrates which allow the strong enhancement of the sample contrast to a point where it becomes possible to visualize the structure of monolayer and multilayer films at the nanoscale with a conventional optical microscope. The SEEC microscopy is demonstrated to be complementary to usual characterization techniques to study the structure of NPs films, especially for films containing very small nanosized NPs which are more difficult to analyze by usual techniques. While the film structure is investigated with lateral resolution of microns, the layer thickness is analyzed at the nanoscale (with a precision of 0.3 nm) with a close fit to the experimental measurements on local (AFM) and on larger (ellipsometry) areas. This technique presents the advantage to visualize directly the topography of NPs assemblies on very large areas by extracting information such as the height profile, the film roughness and generating 3D images.

ABSTRACT Two dimensional (2D) nanoparticles (NP) assemblies have become very attractive due to their original collective properties, which can be modulated as a function of the nanostructure. Beyond precise control on nanostructure and easy way to perform, fast assembling processes are highly desirable to develop efficient and popular strategies to prepare systems with tunable collective properties. In this article, we report on the highly efficient and fast 2D assembling of iron oxide nanoparticles on a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of organic molecules by the microwave (MW)-assisted copper(I) catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction. Microwave irradiation favors a dramatic enhancement of the assembling reaction, which was completed with maximum density in NPs within one hour, much faster than the conventional CuAAC click reactions that require up to 48 h. Moreover, the MW-assisted click reaction presents the great advantage to preserve specific reactions between alkyne and azide groups at SAM and NP surfaces, respectively, and also to avoid undesired reactions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time this approach is performed to nanoparticles assembled on surfaces.

ABSTRACT Biomimetic strategies to control mineral nucleation include the development of self-assembled monolayers with appropriate structural properties. We present a bis-urea based surfactant with variable structural adaptability, which induces habit modification in calcite crystals under optimal conditions. In situ surface-sensitive synchrotron X-ray scattering measurements are reported, which yield surprising conclusions for the film structure. In particular, it is found that nucleation of modified calcite is correlated with the release of two-dimensional ordering in the surfactant layer. The model system is discussed in the context of the history of Langmuir films as models for biomineralization.

To investigate the role and importance of nondirectional electrostatic interactions in mineralization, we explored the use of Langmuir monolayers in which the charge density can be tuned using supramolecular interactions. It is demonstrated that, in mixed Langmuir monolayers of bis-ureido surfactants containing oligo(ethylene oxide) and ammonium head groups associated with matching or nonmatching spacers between the two urea groups, the organization is controlled by molecular recognition. These different organizations of the molecules lead to different nucleation behavior in the mineralization of calcium carbonate. The formation of modified calcite and vaterite crystals was induced selectively by different phases of mixed monolayers, and they were characterized by SEM, TEM, and SAED. To understand the influence of the mixed Langmuir monolayers on the crystallization process, we studied the mixtures by means of (pi-A) isotherms and Brewster angle microscopy observations. Infrared ref...

Multifunctional carbon nanohorn (CNH) complexes were synthesized using oxidized CNH, magnetite (MAG) nanoparticles, and polyethyleneimine (PEI). The ferromagnetic MAG nanoparticles were loaded onto CNH (MAG-CNH) using iron(II) acetate and subsequent heat treatment. Chemical functionalization of the MAG-CNH complexes with PEI improved their water-dispersibility and allowed further conjugation with a fluorophore. The application of an external magnetic field significantly intensified the targeted vectorization of CNH complexes into human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. Following cell uptake, laser irradiation of the cells showed a significant enhancement in the photothermal effects of CNHs leading to cell death. We have confirmed that the photothermal properties and ferromagnetic characteristics of CNH complexes show efficient cell elimination. The present study is an essential step toward the development of an innovative cancer therapy and a highly sensitive detection of cancer cells at the single-cell level.

ABSTRACT Owing to the wide scope of applications of magnetic nanoparticle assembling, the aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of nanoparticle aggregates on the magnetic properties of 2D assemblies. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized by the coprecipitation (NPcop) and thermal decomposition (NPdec@OA) methods, and were assembled on self-assembled monolayers of organic molecules decorated by a phosphonic acid terminal group at their surface (SAM-PO3H2). The nanostructure and magnetic properties of assemblies depend directly on the aggregation of NP suspensions. NPcop result in an unstable suspension and were assembled into a non-homogeneous monolayer of aggregates. The post-functionalization of NPcop with oleic acid after synthesis (NPcop@OA) favors a better stability of the suspension and enhances the nanostructure of the assembly, although smaller NP aggregates remain. In contrast, NPdec@OA which are functionalized in situ by oleic acid during the synthesis step were assembled as individual nanomagnets and result in a dense monolayer. Multilayer assemblies were also prepared from NPcop@OA and NPdec@OA by performing the alternative deposition of these NPs with (1,4-phenylene)bisphosphonic acid. The nanostructure of assemblies has been studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The magnetic properties of monolayer and multilayer assemblies have been studied by using a SQUID magnetometer. While assemblies of individual NPs enhance dipolar interactions in-plane as a result of shape anisotropy, assemblies of NP aggregates favor stronger dipolar interactions with random orientation. The magnetic properties of monolayer and multilayer assemblies have also been compared. The dimensionality (2D vs 3D) has a strong effect on the dipolar interactions when individual NPs are considered in contrast to aggregated nanoparticles.

A co-tunneling charge-transfer process dominates the electrical properties of a nanometer-sized "slice" in a nanoparticle network, which results in universal scaling of the conductance with temperature and bias voltage, as well as enhanced spintronics properties. By designing two large (10 μm) electrodes with short (60 nm) separation, access is obtained to transport dominated by charge transfer involving "nanoslices" made of three nanoparticles only. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle networks exhibit a magnetoresistance ratio that is not reachable by tunneling or hopping processes, thereby illustrating how such a size-matched planar device with dominant co-tunneling charge-transfer process is optimal for realizing multifunctional devices with enhanced change of conductance under external stimulus.

Assemblies of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are intensively studied due to their high potential applications in spintronic, magnetic and magneto-electronic. The fine control over NP density, interdistance, and spatial arrangement onto substrates is of key importance to govern the magnetic properties through dipolar interactions. In this study, magnetic iron oxide NPs have been assembled on surfaces patterned with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of mixed organic molecules. The modification of the molar ratio between coadsorbed 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) and mercaptododecane (MDD) on gold substrates is shown to control the size of NPs domains and thus to modulate the characteristic magnetic properties of the assemblies. Moreover, NPs can be used to indirectly probe the structure of SAMs in domains at the nanometer scale.

In CaCO3, biomineralization nucleation and growth of the crystals are related to the presence of carboxylate-rich proteins within a macromolecular matrix, often with organized beta-sheet domains. To understand the interplay between the organic template and the mineral crystal it is important to explicitly address the issue of structural adaptation of the template during mineralization. To this end we have developed a series of self-organizing surfactants (1-4) consisting of a dodecyl chain connected via a bisureido-heptylene unit to an amino acid head group. In Langmuir monolayers the spacing of these molecules in one direction is predetermined by the hydrogen-bonding distances between the bis-urea units. In the other direction, the intermolecular distance is determined by steric interactions introduced by the side groups (-R) of the amino acid moiety. Thus, by the choice of the amino acid we can systematically alter the density of the surfactant molecules in a monolayer and their ability to respond to the presence of calcium ions. The monolayer films are characterized by surface pressure-surface area (pi-A) isotherms, Brewster angle microscopy, in-situ synchrotron X-ray scattering at fixed surface area, and also infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) of films transferred to solid substrates. The developing crystals are studied with scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and crystal modeling. The results demonstrate that although all compounds are active in the nucleation of calcium carbonate, habit modification is only observed when the size of the side group allows the molecules to rearrange and adapt their organization in response to the mineral phase.

ABSTRACT Most studies on the synthesis of nanoparticles are currently focused on the controlled synthesis of new morphologies, including core-shell structures, which are expected to exhibit new magnetic properties for uses in spintronics and recording media applications. In this study, the structure, morphology, and composition of cubic-shaped nanoparticles are carefully investigated and compared to those of spherically shaped nanoparticles through the use of a combination of techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) combined with more sensitive techniques such as scanning transmission electron microscopy-high-angle annular dark field (STEM-HAADF) imaging, electron tomography, and holography. While spherically shaped nanoparticles (NPs) crystallize with the spinel structure, cubic-shaped NPs can be described as a cubic core of wüstite surrounded by a spinel shell. Stresses are observed at the core-shell interface and within the spinel shell due to the epitaxial growth and oxidation mechanisms of the wüstite phase. Furthermore, magnetic measurements displayed an exchange bias coupling between the antiferromagnetic (AFM) core and the ferrimagnetic (FIM) shell structure of cubic-shaped nanoparticles. It is shown that the magnetic properties are influenced by stresses generated by the oxidation of wüstite and, also exhibit variations depending upon the evolution of this core-shell structure as a function of the oxidation time.Keywords: iron oxide nanoparticles; cubic-shaped nanoparticles; core-shell nanoparticles; oxidation mechanisms; magnetic properties; exchange bias coupling; electron tomography; electron holography