Controlling Pattern Formation in Nanoparticle Assemblies via Directed Solvent Dewetting

Martin, CP and Blunt, MO and Pauliac-Vaujour, E and Stannard, A and Moriarty, P and Vancea, I and Thiele, U (2007) Controlling Pattern Formation in Nanoparticle Assemblies via Directed Solvent Dewetting. Physical Review Letters, 99 . p. 116103.

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Official URL: http://scitation.aip.org

Abstract

We have achieved highly localised control of pattern formation in two dimensional nanoparticle assemblies by direct modification of solvent dewetting dynamics. A striking dependence of nanoparticle organisation on the size of atomic force microscope-generated surface heterogeneities is observed and reproduced in numerical simulations. Nanoscale features induce rupture of the solvent-nanoparticle film, causing the local flow of solvent to carry nanoparticles into confinement. Microscale heterogeneities instead slow the evaporation of the solvent, producing a remarkably abrupt interface between different nanoparticle patterns.

Item Type:Article
Additional Information:Copyright of American Physical Society
Uncontrolled Keywords:nanoparticles; self-assembly; self-organisation; dewetting; nanostructures; pattern formation
Schools/Departments:Faculty of Science > School of Physics and Astronomy
ID Code:904
Deposited By:Moriarty, P.J.
Deposited On:05 Jun 2008 09:40
Last Modified:05 Jun 2008 09:43

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