Abstract:

Nanoparticles are a new generation of advanced materials that exhibit unusual physical properties of technological importance. Naturally nanoclusters are ideal building blocks for two- and three-dimensional (3D) cluster self-assembled superlattice structures.^[1-3] Well-defined ordered solids prepared from tailored nanocrystalline building blocks provide new opportunities for optimizing and enhancing the properties and performance of the materials. Self-assembling passivated nanocrystal superlattices (NCSs) involve self-organization into monolayers, thin films, and superlattices of size-selected nanoclusters encapsulated in a protective compact organic coating. Self-organization of nanoparticles has been demonstrated as a new route for synthesis of superlattice materials built using nanocrystals as building blocks achieved by preparing size-and-shape selected nanocrystals using colloidal chemistry and then using self-assembly as a way of joining them to gether.^[3-6] New materials of this type are expected to exihbit many exciting phenomena structurally and electronically.^[7]   Although there are numerous techniques for preparing metal clusters, most of the current research on self-assembled metal particles is concentrated on gold, silver and Ag₂S.^[1,3,6]

Download complete document in Adobe Acrobat format.

Webadmin@physics.gatech.edu.