Single-crystal Winterbottom constructions of nanoparticle superlattices

Abstract

Colloidal nanoparticle assembly methods can serve as ideal models to explore the fundamentals of homogeneous crystallization phenomena, as interparticle interactions can be readily tuned in order to modify crystal nucleation and growth. However, heterogeneous crystallization at interfaces is often more challenging to control, as it requires that both interparticle and particle-surface interactions be manipulated simultaneously. Here we demonstrate how programmable DNA hybridization enables the formation of single-crystal Winterbottom constructions of substratebound nanoparticle superlattices with defined sizes, shapes, orientations, and degrees of anisotropy. Additionally, we

Mechanical Reshaping of Inorganic Nanostructures with Weak Nanoscale Forces

“…1 Most often, structure control is exerted either during the synthesis to generate a desired particle morphology, or post-synthesis to site-specifically remove/deposit material or assemble building blocks into superstructures. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Absent among these strategies is the possibility to physically re-shape or re-form particles via mechanical forces rather than chemical manipulation. Previous reports have investigated the mechanical properties of nanomaterials through nanoindentation and other in-situ methods.…”

“…In traditional nanoscale systems, there are canonical structures from which more complex architectures can be built (e.g., spheres assembled into a superlattice, rods lithographically fabricated into metamaterial arrays, curved arms lithographically fabricated into a pinwheel). 7,29,30 Similarly, we imagined the morphology associated with a single template particle might serve as a basic structural motif for building more complex curvilinear structures. In order to achieve this, we have investigated the topographies that result when two template particles are near one another and deformed regions overlap (Figure 4).…”

Mechanical Reshaping of Inorganic Nanostructures with Weak Nanoscale Forces

“…1 Most often, structure control is exerted either during the synthesis to generate a desired particle morphology, or post-synthesis to site-specifically remove/deposit material or assemble building blocks into superstructures. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Absent among these strategies is the possibility to physically re-shape or re-form particles via mechanical forces rather than chemical manipulation. [9][10][11] Previous reports have investigated the mechanical properties of nanomaterials through nanoindentation and other in situ methods.…”

“…In traditional nanoscale systems, there are canonical structures from which more complex architectures can be built (e.g., spheres assembled into a superlattice or rods lithographically fabricated into metamaterial arrays). 7,36 Similarly, we imagined the morphology associated with a single template particle might serve as a basic structural motif for building more complex curvilinear structures. In order to achieve this, we have investigated the topographies that result when two template particles are near one another and deformed regions overlap (Figure 4).…”

Highly Stable Nanoparticle Supercrystals Formed by Aldol Reaction in Conjunction with Slow Solvent Evaporation

“…The emergent properties of nanoparticle supercrystals originate from collective interaction between nanoparticles and are determined by the crystal symmetry 11,12 and lattice parameters 13 as well as composition 14 . Various intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding 15,16 and van der Waals interaction 17,18 have been successfully utilized to synthesize and stabilize NPSCs of different symmetries and lattice parameters. However, the limited structural stability of NPSCs fabricated by the relatively weak intermolecular interaction has been a major hurdle for realizing the potential applications.…”