Mechanical Methods Mechanical methods involve physical forces to disperse nanoparticles. Common techniques include:
Ultrasonication: Uses high-frequency sound waves to break up agglomerates. Ball Milling: Utilizes grinding media to achieve dispersion through impact and shear forces. High-Shear Mixing: Employs high-speed rotors to create shear forces that disperse nanoparticles.
Chemical Methods Chemical methods involve the use of chemical agents to stabilize and disperse nanoparticles. Techniques include:
Surfactants: Molecules that reduce surface tension and prevent agglomeration. Polymers: Large molecules that can wrap around nanoparticles, providing steric stabilization. Solvents: Appropriate solvents can help to disperse nanoparticles by reducing their surface energy.
Electrostatic Methods Electrostatic methods utilize electric charges to keep nanoparticles separated. This includes:
