Effect of pluronic P123 on the distribution of nanodiamond particles in water–organic liquid systems

Abstract

The effect adsorption layers of nonionic surfactant (pluronic P123) have on the distribution of nanodiamonds (NDs) between aqueous and organic phases is studied with radioactive tracers using compounds labeled with tritium. The values of reversible and irreversible adsorptions of P123 on NDs are determined. It is shown that the distribution coefficients of NDs modified by irreversibly adsorbed layers of P123 are several times higher than those of raw nanodiamonds. This result is explained by the hydrophobization of an ND’s surface, as is shown by data obtained via interfacial tensiometry and wetting.