Nanoparticle surface charge density in ionic magnetic fluids: the effect of particle-particle interaction

Summary form only given. The effects of a coupling between two colloidal nanoparticles on the surface charge density are investigated. The surface charge density of coupled semiconductor nanoparticles was obtained by self-consistently solving the Schrodinger and Poisson equations. It was found that a bonding (E/sub b/) as well as an antibonding (E/sub a/) energy level sets in as the two nanoparticles approach each other. The corresponding energy values initially increase as the particle-particle distance decreases, until they reach a maximum value at a particular interparticle distance. Below that particular interparticle distance the energy values decrease as the particle-particle distance reduces further.