title: Colloidal Hybrid Nanoparticle Insertion Reaction for Transforming Heterodimers into Heterotrimers.
abstract: Three-component colloidal hybrid nanoparticles, which are central to a diverse array of applications, are typically synthesized using successive seeded growth steps, which are additive in nature and driven by surface chemistry considerations and material-specific preferences for nucleation and growth. Here, we describe a new nanoparticle insertion reaction for transforming heterodimers into heterotrimers, which is based on a supersaturation-precipitation pathway that shifts the driving force for heterotrimer formation away from surface-driven nucleation and growth. To demonstrate the concept, a Ge segment is inserted between the Au and Fe3O4 domains of Au-Fe3O4 heterodimers to form Au-Ge-Fe3O4 heterotrimers. Microscopic investigations reveal important mechanistic insights, including identification of a proposed Au-Ge-Au-Fe3O4 intermediate. The process can be modified to access the analogous addition product Ge-Au-Fe3O4, allowing tuning between two distinct heterotrimer isomers with different configurations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.
authors.forename: Carlos G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Read
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hodges
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.
authors.forename: Raymond E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Schaak