Self-assembled hexagonal Au particle networks on silicon from Au nanoparticle solution

Self-assembled hexagonal Au particle networks, 2-12 mum in cell size, on silicon have been achieved by a simple method. Honeycomb structure of Au nanoparticles on silicon was drop cast from the Au nanoparticle solution under appropriate concentration, evaporation rate, substrate temperature, and humidity. Hexagonal networks with discrete Au particles were generated in samples annealed in N-2 ambient. Two-step annealing, i.e., annealing at 400 degreesC followed by annealing at 1000 degreesC for 1 h each was found to be effective to improve the regularity of the Au particle network. As the cell size can be adjusted by the tuning of the deposition conditions, the scheme promises to be an effective patterning method without complex lithography. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.