title: Assembly of polygonal nanoparticle clusters directed by reversible noncovalent bonding interactions.
abstract: The reversible molecular template-directed self-assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), a process which relies solely on noncovalent bonding interactions, has been demonstrated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). By employing a well-known host-guest binding motif, the AuNPs have been systemized into discrete dimers, trimers, and tetramers. These nanoparticulate twins, triplets, and quadruplets, which can be disassembled and reassembled either chemically or electrochemically, can be coalesced into larger, permanent polygonal structures by thermal treatment using a focused HR-TEM electron beam.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coskun
authors.forename: Rafal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Klajn
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Sanjeev K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Dey
authors.forename: Kevin P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: Bartosz A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Grzybowski
authors.forename: J Fraser
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Stoddart
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D019281:Dimerization; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D036103:Nanotechnology; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D006046:Gold