Issue 42, 2011

2D superlattices and 3D supracrystals of metal nanocrystals: a new scientific adventure

Abstract

Nanocrystals are able to self-assemble in hexagonal networks (2D) and in supracrystals (3D). Here it is shown that the interparticle distance is tuned by the presence of water molecules adsorbed at the nanocrystal interface and on the alkyl chains used as coating agents. By using an intrinsic property due to the nanocrystal ordering, a new, but destructive, method is proposed to detect defects on a large monolayer scale. The supracrystal growth mechanism changes with the nanocrystal size from a heterogeneous (layer-by-layer) to a homogeneous (growth in solution) process. Co supracrystals are highly stable after annealing at 350 °C with an improvement in the nanocrystal ordering, i.e., in the supracrystallinity. With Ag supracrystals it was possible, from the same batch of 5 nm Ag nanocrystals, to control the supracrystallinity with phase transitions of hcp to fcc and amorphous solids to hcp and bcc. Finally a tentative analogy between atoms and nanocrystals is proposed in the crystal growth process. These data open a new research area with a large potential for discovering new chemical and physical properties.

Graphical abstract: 2D superlattices and 3D supracrystals of metal nanocrystals: a new scientific adventure

Article information

Article type
Feature Article
Submitted
16 Mar 2011
Accepted
30 Jun 2011
First published
02 Aug 2011

J. Mater. Chem., 2011,21, 16748-16758

2D superlattices and 3D supracrystals of metal nanocrystals: a new scientific adventure

M. P. Pileni, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 16748 DOI: 10.1039/C1JM11128K

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