title: Controlling pattern formation in nanoparticle assemblies via directed solvent dewetting.
abstract: We have achieved highly localized control of pattern formation in two-dimensional nanoparticle assemblies by direct modification of solvent dewetting dynamics. A striking dependence of nanoparticle organization on the size of atomic force microscope-generated surface heterogeneities is observed and reproduced in numerical simulations. Nanoscale features induce a 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.
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Christopher P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Matthew O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Blunt
authors.forename: Emmanuelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pauliac-Vaujour
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stannard
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moriarty
authors.forename: Ioan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vancea
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Thiele