Massively Scalable Self‐Assembly of Nano and Microparticle Monolayers via Aerosol Assisted Deposition

Abstract

An extremely rapid process for self‐assembling well‐ordered, nano, and microparticle monolayers via a novel aerosolized method is presented. The novel technique can reach monolayer self‐assembly rates as high as 268 cm2 min−1 from a single aerosolizing source and methods to reach faster monolayer self‐assembly rates are outlined. A new physical mechanism describing the self‐assembly process is presented and new insights enabling high‐efficiency nanoparticle monolayer self‐assembly are developed. In addition, well‐ordered monolayer arrays from particles of various sizes, surface functionality, and materials are fabricated. This new technique enables a 93× increase in monolayer self‐assembly rates compared to the current state of the art and has the potential to provide an extremely low‐cost option for submicron nanomanufacturing.

Simple and Rapid Monolayer Self-Assembly of Nanoparticles at the Air/Water Interface

“…A closed-package film structure is obtained along the interface, where the surface tension is optimized to prevent stress due to the PS film. 38 The use of ethylene glycol not only affects the surface tension but also the sliding and spreading behavior of PS nanospheres. 39 The components used in the preparation of the mixture play a very important role in obtaining a tight monolayer.…”

“…In this process, surface tension is achieved using ethyl alcohol, which forces the particles to move along the surface with the driving support of the Marangoni flow. A closed-package film structure is obtained along the interface, where the surface tension is optimized to prevent stress due to the PS film . The use of ethylene glycol not only affects the surface tension but also the sliding and spreading behavior of PS nanospheres .…”

Biofuels and hydrogen production: back to the Langmuir–Blodgett approach for large-scale structuration of Bi-based photoelectrodes

“…The LB method's scalability is neither a dream nor an unreachable perspective since several proofs of concept demonstrated the possibility of depositing organic and inorganic materials on small and large surfaces. 63–65…”

“…Several years ago, Lu et al 63 had already been able to deposit polystyrene particles of 700 nm on irregular surfaces (metallic earings) through the LB approach and obtained a diversity of colors for these jewels. Back in the day, this work, even limited to perfect regular shaped material (polystyrene spheres), appeared encouraging to develop and spread the LB technique for surface treatment with a variety of nanoparticles (organics, inorganics, composites) for several areas: optics, photonics, anticorrosive applications and so forth.…”

Capillary wave tweezer

“…and cell analysis, and for scalable manufacturing, such as, 3D bio-printing and monolayer assemblies require programmable and mm-scale systems to control particle movement and position [52][53][54][55] .…”