Search results for "MBL"

Hiding in plain view: Colloidal self-assembly from polydisperse populations.

2016

We report small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments on aqueous dispersions of colloidal silica with a broad monomodal size distribution (polydispersity 18%, size 8 nm). Over a range of volume fractions the silica particles segregate to build first one, then two distinct sets of colloidal crystals. These dispersions thus demonstrate fractional crystallization and multiple-phase (bcc, Laves AB$_2$, liquid) coexistence. Their remarkable ability to build complex crystal structures from a polydisperse population originates from the intermediate-range nature of interparticle forces, and suggests routes for designing self-assembling colloidal crystals from the bottom-up.

Self-assembled FeCo/gelatin nanospheres with rapid magnetic response and high biomolecule-loading capacity.

2009

Depletion induced isotropic-isotropic phase separation in suspensions of rod-like colloids

2007

When non-adsorbing polymers are added to an isotropic suspension of rod-like colloids, the colloids effectively attract each other via depletion forces. We performed Monte Carlo simulations to study the phase diagram of such rod-polymer mixture. The colloidal rods were modeled as hard spherocylinders; the polymers were described as spheres of the same diameter as the rods. The polymers may overlap with no energy cost, while the overlap of polymers and rods is forbidden. Large amounts of depletant cause phase separation of the mixture. We estimated the phase boundaries of isotropic-isotropic coexistence both in the bulk and in confinement. To determine the phase boundaries we applied the gra…

The Impact of Janus Nanoparticles on the Compatibilization of Immiscible Polymer Blends under Technologically Relevant Conditions

2014

Several hundred grams of Janus nanoparticles (d ≈ 40 nm) were synthesized from triblock terpolymers as compatibilizers for blending of technologically relevant polymers, PPE and SAN, on industry-scale extruders. The Janus nanoparticles (JPs) demonstrate superior compatibilization capabilities compared to the corresponding triblock terpolymer, attributed to the combined intrinsic properties, amphiphilicity and the Pickering effect. Straightforward mixing and extrusion protocols yield multiscale blend morphologies with "raspberry-like" structures of JPs-covered PPE phases in a SAN matrix. The JPs densely pack at the blend interface providing the necessary steric repulsion to suppress droplet …

Self-assembled metal-oxide nanoparticles on GaAs: infrared absorption enabled by localized surface plasmons

2021

Abstract Metal-oxides hold promise as superior plasmonic materials in the mid-infrared compared to metals, although their integration over established material technologies still remains challenging. We demonstrate localized surface plasmons in self-assembled, hemispherical CdZnO metal-oxide nanoparticles on GaAs, as a route to enhance the absorption in mid-infrared photodetectors. In this system, two localized surface plasmon modes are identified at 5.3 and 2.7 μm, which yield an enhancement of the light intensity in the underlying GaAs. In the case of the long-wavelength mode the enhancement is as large as 100 near the interface, and persists at depths down to 50 nm. We show numerically t…

2D photonic defect layers in 3D inverted opals on Si platforms

2006

Dielectric spheres synthesised for the fabrication of self-organized photonic crystals such as opals offer large opportunities for the design of novel nanophotonic devices. In this paper, we show a hexagonal superlattice monolayer of dielectric spheres inscribed on a 3D colloidal photonic crystal by e-beam lithography. The crystal is produced by a variation of the vertical drawing deposition method assisted by an acoustic field. The structures were chosen after simulations showed that a hexagonal super-lattice monolayer in air exhibits an even photonic band gap below the light cone if the refractive index of the spheres is higher than 1.93.

Template-Free Supracolloidal Self-Assembly of Atomically Precise Gold Nanoclusters : From 2D Colloidal Crystals to Spherical Capsids

2016

We report supracolloidal self-assembly of atomically precise and strictly monodisperse gold nanoclusters involving p-mercaptobenzoic acid ligands (Au102-pMBA44) under aqueous conditions into hexagonally packed monolayer-thick two-dimensional facetted colloidal crystals (thickness 2.7 nm) and their bending to closed shells leading to spherical capsids (d ca. 200 nm), as controlled by solvent conditions. The 2D colloidal assembly is driven in template-free manner by the spontaneous patchiness of the pMBA ligands around the Au102-pMBA44 nanoclusters preferably towards equatorial plane, thus promoting inter-nanocluster hydrogen bonds and high packing to planar sheets. More generally, the findin…

Atomically Precise Nanocluster Assemblies Encapsulating Plasmonic Gold Nanorods.

2018

The self-assembled structures of atomically precise, ligand-protected noble metal nanoclusters leading to encapsulation of plasmonic gold nanorods (GNRs) is presented. Unlike highly sophisticated DNA nanotechnology, this strategically simple hydrogen bonding-directed self-assembly of nanoclusters leads to octahedral nanocrystals encapsulating GNRs. Specifically, the p-mercaptobenzoic acid (pMBA)-protected atomically precise silver nanocluster, Na4 [Ag44 (pMBA)30 ], and pMBA-functionalized GNRs were used. High-resolution transmission and scanning transmission electron tomographic reconstructions suggest that the geometry of the GNR surface is responsible for directing the assembly of silver …

Experiences with applications of macromolecular tools in supramolecular crystallography

2014

Supramolecular structures, with ever increasing size ranging from a few up to tens of nanometres, represent an intermediate stage between small molecules and biological macromolecules. Many crystal structures of these large supramolecular assemblies have been solved using dual space algorithms. However, supramolecular assemblies with a capsular shape present a particular challenge for crystallography, especially when they are chiral and composed of only light atoms. In this paper, we show that the application of “routine” macromolecular tools may be of great help in solving the crystal structures of supramolecular assemblies that are otherwise refractory to the routine methods of small mole…

Tertiary Chiral Nanostructures from C‐H∙∙∙F Directed Assembly of Chiroptical Superatoms

2021

Chiral hierarchical structures are universal in nature, whereas quite challenging to mimic in man-made synthesis. We report herein the synthesis and structure of tertiary chiral nanostructures with 100% optical purity. A novel synthetic strategy, using chiral reducing agent, R and S -BINAPCuBH 4 (BINAP is 2,2'-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl), is developed to access to atomically precise, intrinsically chiral [Au 7 Ag 6 Cu 2 ( R - or S -BINAP) 3 (SCH 2 Ph) 6 ]SbF 6 nanoclusters in one-pot synthesis. The clusters represent the first tri-metallic superatoms with inherent chirality and fair stability. Both metal distribution (primary) and ligand arrangement (secondary) of the enantiomer…