title: Freestanding films of crosslinked gold nanoparticles prepared via layer-by-layer spin-coating.
abstract: A new, extremely efficient method for the fabrication of films comprised of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) crosslinked by organic dithiols is presented in this paper. The method is based on layer-by-layer spin-coating of both components, GNPs and crosslinker, and enables the deposition of films several tens of nanometers in thickness within a few minutes. X-ray diffraction and conductance measurements reveal the proper adjustment concentration of the crosslinker solution of the critical is in order to prevent the destabilization and coalescence of particles. UV/vis spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and conductivity measurements indicate that films prepared via layer-by-layer spin-coating are of comparable quality to coatings prepared via laborious layer-by-layer self-assembly using immersion baths. Because spin-coated films are not bound chemically to the substrate, they can be lifted-off by alkaline underetching and transferred onto 3d-electrodes to produce electrically addressable, freely suspended films. Comparative measurements of the sheet resistances indicate that the transfer process does not compromise the film quality.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schlicke
authors.forename: Jan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trebbin
authors.forename: Alexey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petrov
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ijeh
authors.forename: Horst
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weller
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vossmeyer