title: Two-dimensional nanoparticle self-assembly using plasma-induced Ostwald ripening.
abstract: In this work, a novel Ag nanoparticle self-assembly process based on plasma-induced two-dimensional Ostwald ripening is demonstrated. Ag nanoparticles are deposited on p-doped Si substrates using a DC magnetron sputtering process. With the assistance of O(2)/Ar plasma treatment, different sizes and patterns of Ag nanoparticles are formed, due to the Ostwald ripening. The evolution of plasma-induced nanoparticle ripening is studied and a clear increase in particle size and a decrease in particle density are observed with increasing plasma treatment. From the experiments, it is concluded that the initial nanoparticle density and the plasma gas mixture (Ar/O(2) ratio) are important factors that affect the ripening process. The proposed plasma-directed Ag nanoparticle self-assembly provides a rapid method of tailoring the nanoparticle distribution on substrates, with potential applications in the fields of solar cells, biosensors, and catalysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Physics, National Technical University of Athens, Zographou, Greece. tangjun@nuc.edu.cn
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Photopoulos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tserepi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tsoukalas