Using Interaction of Nano Dipoles to Control the Growth of Nanorods

Charged facets of a nanocrystal can form an intrinsic nanometer-size electric dipole. When the spacing between these nano dipoles is adjusted, the dipolar interaction energy is tuned from a fraction to a multiple of the thermal energy. Consequently, the one-dimensional oriented attachment can be switched on or off, as is the growth of nanorods. This kinetically controlled growth is achieved at relatively low reaction temperatures while the thermodynamically controlled growth dominates at higher temperatures. The synthesized PbSe nanorods are branchless, exhibiting a single-exponential photoluminescence decay trace with an e-folding lifetime of 1.3 mu s and a photoluminescence quantum yield of 35%.

Automated summary

The charged facets of a nanocrystal can form nanometer-size electric dipoles, and by adjusting the spacing between these dipoles, the dipolar interaction energy can be controlled to switch on or off the growth of nanorods. This kinetically controlled growth is achieved at relatively low reaction temperatures, resulting in branchless nanorods with good photoluminescence characteristics.