Single-chain nanoparticles interactions

The main results are that a decrease in particle size at one position of the array increases the potential at this point, and this may lead (at least) to localization - that is, the single excess electron in the array may be trapped. As a packing defect, which affects the inter-particle capacitance at one point, acts like an inhomogeneity, the soliton will interact with its mirror-image soliton (or anti-soliton), and will therefore be attracted. This method is of practical use because the total reflection amplitude obtained by these calculations is directly related to the Landauer resistance [55-57], which increases exponentially with the number of defects. For the sake of illustration, it is possible to consider a 1-D chain of 2nm neutral metal particles in which a number N of the nanoparticles are replaced by smaller particles (1 nm). The 1 nm particles represent defects, which lead to a decreased transmission probability for electrons in the periodic chain, and in turn to an increase in the overall resistance. This situation is reflected in Figure 5.40, where the increase in resistance AG is given for this selected example, according to Ref. [58]. 

Both experimental and theoretical studies indicate the influence of nanoparticles boundary interactions on the dynamics of polymers within an interfacial layer because the size of nanometer particles is comparable to the relative size of a single polymer chain [44,45]. The degree of interaction between the nanoparticles and matrix polymer can be estimated from dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of PP and its nanocomposites using... 

Individual polymer molecules can be visualized, manipulated, and to some extent controlled on solid substrates. This fascinating area of polymer research has become possible due to the progress with scanning microscopic techniques. It first allows polymer conformations under different adsorption conditions to be analyzed and in this way to obtain further information about 2D and also 3D conformations prior to the adsorption step. Here the adsorption process itself, but also equilibration on the surface, might play a role. It was, however, possible to get insight into particular PE conformations and phase transitions, for example. Second, the molecules on the surface can even be monitored in situ or in steps to obtain information on molecular motion on the surface. This requires the control of surface interaction forces for a delicate balance of adsorption strength versus mobility of the chains on the surface. There are also first attempts to obtain controlled and directional motion of molecules on the surface. Third, the single molecules have been shown to act as templates for deposition of nanoparticles and can be used for nanodevices and sensors. 

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