1 research outputs found
Programmable Nanoparticle Ensembles via High-Throughput Directed Self-Assembly
We present a simple and facile strategy for the directed
self-assembly of nanoparticles into complex geometries using a minimal
set of post guiding features patterned on a substrate. This understanding
is based on extensive studies of nanoparticle self-assembly into linear,
dense-packed, circular, and star-shaped ensembles when coated onto
patterned substrates of predefined post arrays. We determined the
conditions under which nanoparticles assemble and “connect”
two adjacent post features, thereby forming the desired shapes. We
demonstrate that with rational design of the post patterns to enforce
the required pairwise interactions with posts, we can create arbitrary
arrangements of nanoparticlesfor example, to write “IBM”
in a deterministic manner. This demonstration of programmable, high-throughput
directed self-assembly of nanoparticles shows an alternative route
to generate functional nanoparticle assemblies