Nanoparticles influence their liquid environment: Study presents atomic insights

These days, nanoparticles finely distributed in suspensions are used in many areas—for example in cosmetic products, in industrial catalysts, or in contrast agents for medicinal examinations. For the first time, a research team from the University of Bayreuth has managed to precisely determine the interrelationships of magnetic nanoparticles with the liquid surrounding them, even down to the atomic level. As it turns out, it is mainly a question of the crystalline structure of the nano-particle as to how water molecules in their immediate vicinity re-align themselves. The scientists have presented their findings in the journal Nature Communications.