Shape-dependent ordering of gold nanocrystals into large-scale superlattices

Gong J, Newman RS, Engel M, Zhao M, Bian F, Glotzer SC, Tang Z (2017)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Nature Communications Nature Publishing Group: Nature Communications

Book Volume: 8

Article Number: 14038

DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14038

Abstract

Self-assembly of individual building blocks into highly ordered structures, analogous to spontaneous growth of crystals from atoms, is a promising approach to realize the collective properties of nanocrystals. Yet the ability to reliably produce macroscopic assemblies is unavailable and key factors determining assembly quality/yield are not understood. Here we report the formation of highly ordered superlattice films, with single crystalline domains of up to half a millimetre in two dimensions and thickness of up to several microns from nanocrystals with tens of nanometres in diameter. Combining experimental and computational results for gold nanocrystals in the shapes of spheres, cubes, octahedra and rhombic dodecahedra, we investigate the entire self-assembly process from disordered suspensions to large-scale ordered superlattices induced by nanocrystal sedimentation and eventual solvent evaporation. Our findings reveal that the ultimate coherence length of superlattices strongly depends on nanocrystal shape. Factors inhibiting the formation of high-quality large-scale superlattices are explored in detail.

Authors with CRIS profile

Michael Engel Lehrstuhl für Multiscale Simulation of Particulate Systems (MSS)

Additional Organisation(s)

Exzellenz-Cluster Engineering of Advanced Materials (EAM)

Involved external institutions

Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics CN China (CN) University of Michigan US United States (USA) (US) Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) / 中国科学院 CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Gong, J., Newman, R.S., Engel, M., Zhao, M., Bian, F., Glotzer, S.C., & Tang, Z. (2017). Shape-dependent ordering of gold nanocrystals into large-scale superlattices. Nature Communications, 8. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms14038

MLA:

Gong, Jianxiao, et al. "Shape-dependent ordering of gold nanocrystals into large-scale superlattices." Nature Communications 8 (2017).

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