Controlling pattern formation in nanoparticle assemblies via directed solvent dewetting.
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.
Martin
Christopher P
CP
School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
Blunt
Matthew O
MO
Pauliac-Vaujour
Emmanuelle
E
Stannard
Andrew
A
Moriarty
Philip
P
Vancea
Ioan
I
Thiele
Uwe
U