2D nanoparticle arrays by partial dissolution of ordered pore films

A low cost and simple route was presented to fabricate large-scale ordered nanoparticle arrays by partial dissolution of ordered pore films (or monolayer inverse opal) in a solution. By this method, we have fabricated Fe2O3 and In2O3 hexagonal close-packed nanoparticle arrays. This method is also applicable for synthesis of other material nanoparticle arrays. The particle size in the arrays can be controlled by the dissolution time, which is, additionally, beneficial to study size dependent optical, magnetic, electrochemical, thermodynamic, catalytic properties of nanoparticls. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.