Journal
SMALL
Volume 15, Issue 33, Pages -Publisher
WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
DOI: 10.1002/smll.201901966
Keywords
Ag nanoparticles; atomic force microscopy; hydration force; in situ transmission electron microscopy; self-assembly; van der Waals force
Categories
Funding
- U.S. Department of Energy [DE-AC02-05CH11231] Funding Source: Medline
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Nanoparticle (NP) superlattices have attracted increasing attention due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, key questions persist regarding the correlation between short- and long-range driving forces for nanoparticle assembly and resultant capability to predict the transient and final superlattice structure. Here the self-assembly of Ag NPs in aqueous solutions is investigated by employing in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy, combined with atomic force microscopy-based force measurements, and theoretical calculations. Despite the NPs exhibiting instantaneous Brownian motion, it is found that the dynamic behavior of NPs is correlated with the van der Waals force, sometimes unexpectedly over relatively large particle separations. After the NPs assemble into clusters, a delicate balance between the hydration and van der Waals forces results in a distinct distribution of particle separation, which is ascribed to layers of hydrated ions adsorbed on the NP surface. The study demonstrates pivotal roles of the complicated correlation between interparticle forces; potentially enabling the control of particle separation, which is critical for tailoring the properties of NP superlattices.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available