title: Quantitative structural analysis of binary nanocrystal superlattices by electron tomography.
abstract: Binary nanocrystal superlattices, that is, ordered structures of two sorts of nanocolloids, hold promise for a series of functional materials with novel collective properties. Here we show that based on electron tomography a comprehensive, quantitative, three-dimensional characterization of these systems down to the single nanocrystal level can be achieved, which is key in understanding the emerging materials properties. On four binary lattices composed of PbSe, CdSe, and Au nanocrystals, we illustrate that ambiguous interpretations based on two-dimensional transmission electron microscopy can be prevented, nanocrystal sizes and superlattice parameters accurately determined, individual crystallographic point and plane defects studied, and the order/disorder at the top and bottom surfaces imaged. Furthermore, our results suggest that superlattice nucleation and growth occurred at the suspension/air interface and that the unit cells of some lattices are anisotropically deformed upon drying.
authors.affiliation: Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Sorbonnelaan 16, Utrecht 3584 CA, The Netherlands. h.friedrich@uu.nl
authors.forename: Heiner
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.forename: Cedric J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gommes
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Overgaag
authors.forename: Johannes D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Meeldijk
authors.forename: Wiel H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Evers
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: de Nijs
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Boneschanscher
authors.forename: Petra E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: de Jongh
authors.forename: Arie J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Verkleij
authors.forename: Krijn P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: Alfons
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Blaaderen
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vanmaekelbergh
mesh_terms: D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D055032:Electron Microscope Tomography; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D007854:Lead / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D018036:Selenium Compounds; C088065:lead selenide; D007854:Lead; D006046:Gold; C058667:cadmium selenide