Abstract
The combination of two self-assembly processes on different length scales leads to the formation of hierarchically structured nanoparticle arrays. Here, the formation of spherical cavities, or 'breath figures' - made by the condensation of micrometre-sized water droplets on the surface of a polymer solution - that self-assemble into a well-ordered hexagonal array, is combined with the self-assembly of CdSe nanoparticles at the polymer solution-water droplet interface. Complete evaporation of the solvent and water confines the particle assembly to an array of spherical cavities and allows for ex situ investigation. Fluorescence confocal, transmission electron and scanning electron microscope images show the preferential segregation of the CdSe nanoparticles to the polymer solution-water interface where they form a 5-7-nm-thick layer, thus functionalizing the walls of the holes. This process opens a new route to fabricating highly functionalized ordered microarrays of nanoparticles, potentially useful in sensory, separation membrane or catalytic applications.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 302-306 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Nature Materials |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 2004 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Funding
The authors thank G. Dabkowski for assistance with the humidity chamber. This work was supported by the Department of Energy (DE-FG-02-96ER45), the National Science Foundation (NSF)-supported Materials Research Science and Engineering Center and the associated NSF-Research Experience for Teachers Program at the University of Massachusetts,Amherst (DMR 9400488), an NSF Career Award (CHE-0239486), the Eastman Kodak Company, and the MAX KADE Foundation. Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to T.P.R., T.E. or A.D.D.