Heterogeneous Self-Assembly of a Single Type of Nanoparticle Modulated by Skin Formation

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

5 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

  • Chang Li
  • Yafeng Yu
  • Huizeng Li
  • Haisong Lin
  • Huanqing Cui
  • Yi Pan
  • Ruotong Zhang
  • Yanlin Song

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11645-11654
Journal / PublicationACS Nano
Volume17
Issue number12
Online published12 Jun 2023
Publication statusPublished - 27 Jun 2023
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

Self-assembly of colloidal nanoparticles has generated tremendous interest due to its widespread applications in structural colorations, sensors, and optoelectronics. Despite numerous strategies being developed to fabricate sophisticated structures, the heterogeneous self-assembly of a single type of nanoparticle in one step remains challenging. Here, facilitated by spatial confinement induced by a skin layer in a drying droplet, we achieve the heterogeneous self-assembly of a single type of nanoparticle by quickly evaporating a colloid-poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) droplet. During the drying process, a skin layer forms at the droplet surface. The resultant spatial confinement assembles nanoparticles into face-centered-cubic (FCC) lattices with (111) and (100) plane orientations, generating binary bandgaps and two structural colors. The self-assembly of nanoparticles can be regulated by varying the PEG concentration so that FCC lattices with homo- or heterogeneous orientation planes can be prepared on demand. Besides, the approach is applicable for diverse droplet shapes, various substrates, and different nanoparticles. The one-pot general strategy breaks the requirements for multiple types of building blocks and predesigned substrates, extending the fundamental understanding underlying colloidal self-assembly. © 2023 American Chemical Society.

Research Area(s)

  • droplet evaporation, heterogeneous self-assembly, Marangoni flow, photonic crystal heterojunction, skin formation, structural colors

Citation Format(s)

Heterogeneous Self-Assembly of a Single Type of Nanoparticle Modulated by Skin Formation. / Li, Chang; Yu, Yafeng; Li, Huizeng et al.
In: ACS Nano, Vol. 17, No. 12, 27.06.2023, p. 11645-11654.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review