Nanodroplet-Mediated Assembly of Platinum Nanoparticle Rings in Solution

Capping Layer Determined Self-assembly of Au-Ag Bimetallic Janus Nanoparticles at An Oil/Water Interface by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Bimetallic Janus nanoparticles (BJNPs) have gained more attention due to their unique catalytic and optical properties. The self-assembly of BJNPs is expected as an effective way to fabricate metamaterials suitable for different potential applications. However, the self-assembly dynamic process of BJNPs, which is key to achieving a controllable synthesis, is limited in both experimental and theoretical investigations. Herein, all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to investigate the self-assembly process of 1-dodecanethiol (DDT)-decorated Au-Ag BJNPs at an oil-water interface. We demonstrate that DDT's van der Waals (vdW) interaction dominates the self-assembly process. BJNPs form close-packed structures at both fast and slow evaporation rates. Au-Ag BJNPs exhibit relatively larger rotations at a low evaporation rate than those at a high evaporation rate, suggesting that the evaporation rate influences the orientation of the Au-Ag BJNPs. BJNPs tend to orient their electric dipole moments toward the external electric field, according to the ab initio MD simulation results. Based on the energy comparison and model analysis, it is found that the parallel array is more stable than the antiparallel one for the Au-Ag BJNP arrays. The dipole-dipole interaction difference between the parallel and antiparallel BJNP arrays obtained according to dipole moment obtained from ab initio calculation is qualitatively consistent with that obtained from MD simulations, indicating that the dipole plays a decisive role in determining the orientation of the BJNP array. This work uncovers the self-assembly dynamic process of BJNPs, paving the way for future applications.

In Situ and Ex Situ Studies of Ring-Like Assembly of Silica Nanoparticles in the Presence of Poly(propylene oxide)-Poly(ethylene oxide) Block Copolymers

Block copolymer-mediated self-assembly of colloidal nanoparticles has attracted great attention for fabricating various nanoparticle arrays. We have previously shown that silica nanoparticles (SNPs) assemble into ring-like nanostructures in the presence of temperature-responsive block copolymers poly[(2-ethoxyethyl vinyl ether)-block-(2-methoxyethyl vinyl ether)] (PEOVE-PMOVE) in an aqueous phase. The ring-like nanostructures formed within an aggregate of PEOVE-PMOVE when the temperature was increased to 45 °C, at which the polymer is amphiphilic. Herein, we report that SNPs assemble into ring-like nanostructures even with a different temperature-responsive, amphiphilic block copolymer poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PPO-PEO) at 45 °C. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy for SNP assemblies that were spin-coated on a substrate indicated that SNP first assembled into chain-like nanostructures and then bent into closed loops over several days. In contrast, in situ small-angle X-ray diffraction measurements revealed the formation of SNP nanorings within 75 s at 45 °C in the liquid phase. These results indicated that ring-like assembly of SNPs occurs quickly in the liquid phase, but the slow formation of Si-O-Si bonds between SNPs leads to their structure being destroyed by spin-coating. Intriguingly, SNPs with a diameter of 15 nm form a well-defined nanoring structure, with five SNPs located at the vertex points of a regular pentagon. Additionally, small-angle neutron scattering, where the contrast of the solvent (a mixture of H2O and D2O) matches that of SNPs, clarified that SNPs are contained within the spherical micelle formed from PPO-PEO. This work offers a facile and versatile approach to preparing ring-like arrays from inorganic colloidal nanoparticles, leading to applications including sensing, catalysis, and nanoelectronics.

Strategy for optimizing experimental settings for studying low atomic number colloidal assemblies using liquid phase scanning transmission electron microscopy

Observing processes of nanoscale materials of low atomic number is possible using liquid phase electron microscopy (LP-EM). However, the achievable spatial resolution (d) is limited by radiation damage. Here, we examine a strategy for optimizing LP-EM experiments based on an analytical model and experimental measurements, and develop a method for quantifying image quality at ultra low electron dose D_e using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). As experimental test case we study the formation of a colloidal binary system containing 30 nm diameter SiO₂ nanoparticles (SiONPs), and 100 nm diameter polystyrene microspheres (PMs). We show that annular dark field (DF) STEM is preferred over bright field (BF) STEM for practical reasons. Precise knowledge of the material's density is crucial for the calculations in order to match experimental data. To calculate the detectability of nano-objects in an image, the Rose criterion for single pixels is expanded to a model of the signal to noise ratio obtained for multiple pixels spanning the image of an object. Using optimized settings, it is possible to visualize the radiation-sensitive, hierarchical low-Z binary structures, and identify both components.

Generation of Nanodroplet Reactors and Their Applications in In Situ Controllable Synthesis and Transportation of Ag Nanoparticles

Nanodroplets have been paid great attention as they are crucial for a wide range of physical, chemical, and biological applications. In this paper, monodispersed nanodroplets are prepared and their directed motions are realized through conducting the formation of nonuniform structures via altering the ionic distribution within; all these dynamics have been observed by using in situ transmission electron microscopy liquid cell technology. It has been found that their transformation from random motion to directed motion is reversible. Moreover, combining multiple directed motions enables long-distance travel with directed motion taking up 95% of the total time. The results here also prove that aqueous nanodroplets can slide directionally on the hydrophilic surface like droplets sliding on hydrophobic surface. Furthermore, the authors successfully achieve the unidirectional transportation of in situ prepared Ag nanoparticles by using the nanodroplets as nanoreactor, carrier, and transporter. The size and number of as-prepared Ag nanoparticles can be quantitatively controlled. In summary, this research provides a new strategy for real-time generation and precise manipulation of aqueous nanodroplets. Together with the quantitatively controllable in situ synthesis of Ag nanoparticles within the nanodroplets, this work can prove their promising applications in many fields.

Size-selective Pt siderophores based on redox active azo-aromatic ligands

We demonstrate a strategy inspired by natural siderophores for the dissolution of platinum nanoparticles that could enable their size-selective synthesis, toxicological assessment, and the recycling of this precious metal. From the fabrication of electronics to biomedical diagnosis and therapy, PtNPs find increasing use. Mitigating concerns over potential human toxicity and the need to recover precious metal from industrial debris motivates the study of bio-friendly reagents to replace traditional harsh etchants. Herein, we report a family of redox-active siderophore-viz. π-acceptor azo aromatic ligands (L) that spontaneously ionize and chelate Pt atoms selectively from nanoparticles of size ≤6 nm. The reaction produces a monometallic diradical complex, Pt^II(L˙^-)₂, isolated as a pure crystalline compound. Density functional theory provides fundamental insights on the size dependent PtNP chemical reactivity. The reported findings reveal a generalized platform for designing π-acceptor ligands to adjust the size threshold for dissolution of Pt or other noble metals NPs. Our approach may, for example, be used for the generation of Pt-based therapeutics or for reclamation of Pt nano debris formed in catalytic converters or electronic fabrication industries.

Well-Ordered Inorganic Nanoparticle Arrays Directed by Block Copolymer Nanosheets

Precise control over the spatial arrangement of inorganic nanoparticles on a large scale is desirable for the design of functional nanomaterials, sensing, and optical/electronic devices. Although great progress has been recently made in controlling the organization of nanoparticles, there still remains a grand challenge to arrange nanoparticles into highly-ordered arrays over multiple length scales. Here, we report the directed arrangement of inorganic nanoparticles into arrayed structures with long-range order, up to tens of microns, by using hexagonally-packed cylindrical patterns of block copolymer nanosheets self-assembled within collapsed emulsion droplets as scaffolds. This technique can be used to generate nanoparticle arrays with various nanoparticle arrangements, including hexagonal honeycomb structures, periodic nanoring structures, and their combinations. This finding provides an effective route to fabricate diverse nanoparticle arrayed structures for the design of functional materials and devices.

Building Reconfigurable Devices Using Complex Liquid-Fluid Interfaces

Liquid-fluid interfaces provide a platform both for structuring liquids into complex shapes and assembling dimensionally confined, functional nanomaterials. Historically, attention in this area has focused on simple emulsions and foams, in which surface-active materials such as surfactants or colloids stabilize structures against coalescence and alter the mechanical properties of the interface. In recent decades, however, a growing body of work has begun to demonstrate the full potential of the assembly of nanomaterials at liquid-fluid interfaces to generate functionally advanced, biomimetic systems. Here, a broad overview is given, from fundamentals to applications, of the use of liquid-fluid interfaces to generate complex, all-liquid devices with a myriad of potential applications.

In situliquid cell TEM observation of solution-mediated interaction behaviour of Au/CdS nanoclusters

Near a thicker liquid region, droplets grow and become overlap-like, liquid fronts push forward to facilitate NC coalescence. In a thin liquid region, e-beam induces bubble formation, dissolution of CdS, and deformation of the Au/CdS composite.

Ring-Like Assembly of Silica Nanospheres in the Presence of Amphiphilic Block Copolymer: Effects of Particle Size

Block copolymer-mediated self-assembly of colloidal nanoparticles has attracted great attention for the fabrication of a wide variety of nanoparticle arrays. We have previously shown that silica nanospheres (SNSs) 15 nm in diameter assemble into ring-like nanostructures in the presence of amphiphilic block copolymers poly[(2-ethoxyethyl vinyl ether)- block-(2-methoxyethyl vinyl ether)] (EOVE-MOVE) in an aqueous phase. Here, the effects of particle size of SNSs on this polymer-mediated self-assembly are studied systematically using scanning electron microscopy to observe SNSs of seven different sizes between 13 to 42 nm. SNSs of 13, 16, 19, and 21 nm in diameter assemble into nanorings in the presence of EOVE-MOVE. In contrast, larger SNSs of 26, 34, and 42 nm aggregate heavily, form chain-like networks, and remain dispersed, respectively, instead of forming ring-like nanostructures. The assembly trend for 26-42 nm-SNSs agrees with that expected from the increased colloidal stability for larger particles. Time-course observation for the assembled morphology of 16 nm-SNSs reveals that the nanorings, once formed, assemble further into network-like structures, as if the nanorings behave as building units for higher-order assembly. This indicates that the ring-like assembly is a fast process that can proceed onto random colloidal aggregation. Detailed analysis of nanoring structures revealed that the average number of SNSs comprising one ring decreased from 5.0 to 3.1 with increasing the SNS size from 13 to 21 nm. A change in the number of ring members was also observed when the length of EOVE-MOVE varied while the size of SNSs was fixed. Dynamic light scattering measurements and atomic force microscopy confirmed the SNSs/polymer composite structures. We hypothesize that a stable composite morphology may exist that is influenced by both the size of SNSs and the polymer molecular structures.

Circular assembly of colloidal nanoparticles at the liquid-air interface mediated by block copolymers

The self-assembly of colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) mediated by block copolymers (BCPs) is an efficient way for fabricating nanocomposite superstructures with precise geometric control. Here we report a generalized liquid-air interfacial strategy by exploiting the versatility in tuning the specific affinities between the grafted polymeric ligands and BCPs, enabling the circular assembly of NPs on a liquid surface to afford unique ring-like superstructures. Fe3O4 NPs act as the model system; however, CoFe2O4 and Au NPs are also demonstrated using the proposed assembly method. Functionalizing NPs with a specific polymeric ligand is the key to achieve the circular assembly of NPs, while both the subphase and the solvent annealing temperature have profound influence on the microphase separation behaviors of BCPs and therefore the morphology of the resulting NP assemblies. Moreover, the co-assembly of two types of NPs grafted with distinct polymeric ligands enables unprecendented heterogeneous concentric rings, with each ring consisting of one type of NP.

Freeze the Moment: High Speed Capturing of Weakly Bonded Dynamic Nanoparticle Assemblies in Solution by Ag Ion Soldering

Despite the versatile forms of colloidal aggregates, these spontaneously formed structures are often hard to find a suitable application in nanotechnology and materials science. A determinate reason is the lack of a suitable method to capture the transiently formed and quickly evolving colloidal structures in solution. To address this challenge, a simple but highly efficient strategy is herein reported to capture the dynamic and metastable colloidal assemblies formed in an aqueous or nonaqueous solution. This process takes advantage of a recently developed Ag ion soldering reaction to realize a rapid fixation of as-formed metastable assemblies. This method works efficiently for both solid (3D) nanoparticle aggregates and weakly bonded fractal nanoparticle chains (1D). In both cases, very high capturing speed and close to 100% efficiency are achieved to fully retain a quickly growing structure. The soldered nanochains further enable a fabrication of discrete, uniform, and functionalizable nanoparticle clusters with enriched linear conformation by mechanical shearing, which would otherwise be difficult to make. The captured products are water dispersible and mechanically robust, favoring an exploration of their properties toward possible applications. The work paves a way to previously untouched aspects of colloidal science and thus would create new chances in nanotechnology.

Self-assembled selenium nanoparticles and their application in the rapid diagnostic detection of small cell lung cancer biomarkers

By coupling molecular imprinting, chitosan biosorption and TiO₂ photocatalysis, selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) were self-assembled in a controlled manner on the molecular imprinting sites of zeolite-chitosan-TiO₂ microspheres. Se NPs with different sizes and areal densities were individually synthesized by controlling the rapid adsorption of molecular-imprinted nanocomposites and photocatalytic reaction of TiO₂ nanoparticles. In order to improve the sensitivity and specificity of rapid diagnostic detection, Se NPs were self-assembled again into high-order and spherically stable structures with an average size of 80 nm by well-defined monomer units, after separation from zeolite-chitosan-TiO₂ microspheres with a stabilizer of 0.3% (v/v) bovine serum albumin. Due to their biological activity, spherical-shaped Se NPs were used for dot-blot immunoassays with multiple native antigens for rapid serodiagnosis of human lung cancer. The sensitivity of the dot immunoassays for detecting progastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP) was 75 pg mL^-1. The detection time of colloidal Se dot immunoassays for ProGRP was only 5 min. No positive results were observed with other commonly potential interfering substances, including carcinoembryonic antigen, α-fetoprotein antigen and BSA. The research presents a simple and green method for the reuse of SeO₃^2- and the controlled synthesis of Se NPs for biological and medical applications by bioaffinity adsorption and photoreduction.

Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy for Studying Colloidal Inorganic Nanoparticles

For the past few decades, nanoparticles of various sizes, shapes, and compositions have been synthesized and utilized in many different applications. However, due to a lack of analytical tools that can characterize structural changes at the nanoscale level, many of their growth and transformation processes are not yet well understood. The recently developed technique of liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has gained much attention as a new tool to directly observe chemical reactions that occur in solution. Due to its high spatial and temporal resolution, this technique is widely employed to reveal fundamental mechanisms of nanoparticle growth and transformation. Here, the technical developments for liquid-phase TEM together with their application to the study of solution-phase nanoparticle chemistry are summarized. Two types of liquid cells that can be used in the high-vacuum conditions required by TEM are discussed, followed by recent in situ TEM studies of chemical reactions of colloidal nanoparticles. New findings on the growth mechanism, transformation, and motion of nanoparticles are subsequently discussed in detail.

Dynamics of Templated Assembly of Nanoparticle Filaments within Nanochannels

Nanoparticles (NPs) can self-assemble into complex, organized superstructures on patterned surfaces through fluid-mediated interactions. However, the detailed mechanisms for such NP assemblies are largely unknown. Here, using in situ transmission electron microscopy, the stepwise self-assembly dynamics of hydrophobic gold NPs into long filaments formed on the surfaces of water-filled patterned nanochannel templates is observed. First, the formation of a meniscus between the nanochannel walls, during the slow drying of water, causes accumulation of the NPs in the middle of the nanochannels. Second, owing to the strong van der Waals attraction between the NP ligands, the NPs condense into filaments along the centers of the nanochannels. Filaments with highly fluctuating longitudinal NP densities are also observed to fragment into separated structures. Understanding the intermediate stages of fluid-mediated NP self-assembly on patterned surfaces will have important implications for the controlled formation of templated NP assemblies with numerous applications.

Growth and assembly of cobalt oxide nanoparticle rings at liquid nanodroplets with solid junction

Using liquid cell TEM, we imaged the formation of CoO nanoparticle rings. Nanoparticles nucleated and grew tracing the perimeter of droplets sitting on the SiN_x solid substrate, and finally formed necklace-like rings. By tracking single nanoparticle trajectories during the ring formation and an estimation of the forces between droplets and nanoparticles using a simplified model, we found the junction of liquid nanodroplets with a solid substrate is the attractive site for CoO nanoparticles. Coalescing droplets were capable of pushing nanoparticles to the perimeter of the new droplet and nanoparticles on top of the droplets rolled off toward the perimeter. We propose that the curved surface morphology of the droplets created a force gradient that contributed to the assembly of nanoparticles at the droplet perimeter. Revealing the dynamics of nanoparticle movements and the interactions of nanoparticles with the liquid nanodroplet provides insights on developing novel self-assembly strategies for building precisely defined nanostructures on solid substrates.

Direct Observation of Interactions between Nanoparticles and Nanoparticle Self-Assembly in Solution

Hierarchically organized nanoparticles (NPs) possess unique properties and are relevant to various technological applications. An important "bottom-up" strategy for building such hierarchical nanostructures is to guide the individual NPs into ordered nanoarchitectures using intermolecular interactions and external forces. However, our current understanding of the nanoscale interactions that govern such self-assembly processes usually relies on post-synthesis/assembly or indirect characterization. Theoretical models that can derive these interactions are presently constrained to systems with only a few particles or on short time scales. Hence, except for a number of special cases, a description that captures the detailed mechanisms of NP self-assembly still eludes us. By imaging the assembly of NPs in solution with subnanometer resolution and in real-time, in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (LC-TEM) can identify previously unknown intermediate stages and improve our understanding of such processes. Here, we review recent studies where we explored NP self-assembly at different organization length scales using LC-TEM: (1) we followed the transformation of atoms into crystalline NPs in solution, (2) we highlighted the role of solvation forces on interaction dynamics between NPs, and (3) we described the assembly dynamics of NPs in solution. In the case of nanocrystal nucleation, we identified the existence of three distinct steps that lead to the formation of crystalline nuclei in solution. These steps are spinodal decomposition of the precursor solution into solute-rich and solute-poor liquid phases, nucleation of amorphous clusters within the solute-rich liquid phase, followed by crystallization of these amorphous clusters into crystalline NPs. The next question we ask is how NPs interact in solution once they form. It turns out that the hydration layer surrounding each NP acts as a repulsive barrier that prevents NPs from readily attaching to each other due to attractive vdW forces. Consequently, two interacting NPs form a metastable pair separated by their one water molecule thick hydration shell and they undergo attachment only when this water between them is drained. Next, we explore the self-assembly of many NP systems where the formation of linear chains from spherical NPs or nanorods (NRs) is mediated by linker molecules. At low linker concentration, both spherical NPs and NRs tend to form linear chains because of the need to reduce electrostatic repulsion between NP building blocks. When the concentration of linkers is increased, the attachment of NPs is no longer linear. For example, we find that two NRs undergo side-to-side assembly due to decreased electrostatic repulsion and the anisotropic distribution of linkers on NR surfaces at high linker concentration. Lastly, we look at the formation of NP nanorings directed by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) nanodroplets in water. Our study shows that nanoring assemblies form via sequential attachment of NPs to binding sites located along the circumference of the EDTA nanodroplet, followed by rearrangement and reorientation of the attached NPs. Our approach based on real-time visualization of nanoscale processes not only reveals all the intermediate steps of NP assembly, but also provides quantitative description on the interactions between nanoscale objects in solution.

Interactions and Attachment Pathways between Functionalized Gold Nanorods

Nanoparticle (NP) self-assembly has been recognized as an important technological process for forming ordered nanostructures. However, the detailed dynamics of the assembly processes remain poorly understood. Using in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy, we describe the assembly modes of gold (Au) nanorods (NRs) in solution mediated by hydrogen bonding between NR-bound cysteamine linker molecules. Our observations reveal that by tuning the linker concentration, two different NR assembly modes can be achieved. These assembly modes proceed via the (1) end-to-end and (2) side-to-side attachment of NRs at low and high linker concentrations in solution, respectively. In addition, our time-resolved observations reveal that the side-to-side NR assemblies can occur through two different pathways: (i) prealigned attachment, where two Au NRs prealign to be parallel prior to assembly, and (ii) postattachment alignment, where two Au NRs first undergo end-to-end attachment and pivot around the attachment point to form the side-to-side assembly. We attributed the observed assembly modes to the distribution of linkers on the NR surfaces and the electrostatic interactions between the NRs. The intermediate steps in the assembly reported here reveal how the shape and surface functionalities of NPs drive their self-assembly, which is important for the rational design of hierarchical nanostructures.

Self-Assembly of Colloidal Nanocrystals: From Intricate Structures to Functional Materials

Chemical methods developed over the past two decades enable preparation of colloidal nanocrystals with uniform size and shape. These Brownian objects readily order into superlattices. Recently, the range of accessible inorganic cores and tunable surface chemistries dramatically increased, expanding the set of nanocrystal arrangements experimentally attainable. In this review, we discuss efforts to create next-generation materials via bottom-up organization of nanocrystals with preprogrammed functionality and self-assembly instructions. This process is often driven by both interparticle interactions and the influence of the assembly environment. The introduction provides the reader with a practical overview of nanocrystal synthesis, self-assembly, and superlattice characterization. We then summarize the theory of nanocrystal interactions and examine fundamental principles governing nanocrystal self-assembly from hard and soft particle perspectives borrowed from the comparatively established fields of micrometer colloids and block copolymer assembly. We outline the extensive catalog of superlattices prepared to date using hydrocarbon-capped nanocrystals with spherical, polyhedral, rod, plate, and branched inorganic core shapes, as well as those obtained by mixing combinations thereof. We also provide an overview of structural defects in nanocrystal superlattices. We then explore the unique possibilities offered by leveraging nontraditional surface chemistries and assembly environments to control superlattice structure and produce nonbulk assemblies. We end with a discussion of the unique optical, magnetic, electronic, and catalytic properties of ordered nanocrystal superlattices, and the coming advances required to make use of this new class of solids.

Dendronization-induced phase-transfer, stabilization and self-assembly of large colloidal Au nanoparticles

The phase-transfer of CTAB-coated aqueous, spherical gold nanoparticles, with metallic core diameters ranging from ca. 27 to 54 nm, into organic solvents by exchanging the primitive polar bilayer with lipophilic, disulfide dendritic ligands is reported. The presence of such a thick nonpolar organic shell around these large nanoparticles enhances their stabilization against aggregation, in addition to enabling their transfer into a variety of solvents such as chloroform, toluene or tetrahydrofuran. Upon the slow evaporation of a chloroform suspension deposited on a solid support, the dendronized hybrids were found to self-assemble into ring structures of various diameters. Moreover, their self-assembly at the liquid-air interface affords the formation of fairly long-range ordered monolayers, over large areas, that can then be entirely transferred onto solid substrates.