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Tunable 2D binary colloidal alloys for soft nanotemplating.
Tunable 2D binary colloidal alloys for soft nanotemplating.
- Source :
-
Nanoscale [Nanoscale] 2018 Dec 21; Vol. 10 (47), pp. 22189-22195. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Nov 28. - Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- The realization of non-close-packed nanoscale patterns with multiple feature sizes and length scales via colloidal self-assembly is a highly challenging task. We demonstrate here the creation of a variety of tunable particle arrays by harnessing the sequential self-assembly and deposition of two differently sized microgel particles at the fluid-fluid interface. The two-step process is essential to achieve a library of 2D binary colloidal alloys, which are kinetically inaccessible by direct co-assembly. These versatile binary patterns can be exploited for a range of end-uses. Here we show that they can for instance be transferred to silicon substrates, where they act as masks for the metal-assisted chemical etching of binary arrays of vertically aligned silicon nanowires (VA-SiNWs) with fine geometrical control. In particular, continuous binary gradients in both NW spacing and height can be achieved. Notably, these binary VA-SiNW platforms exhibit interesting anti-reflective properties in the visible range, in agreement with simulations. The proposed strategy can also be used for the precise placement of metallic nanoparticles in non-close-packed arrays. Sequential depositions of soft particles enable therefore the exploration of complex binary patterns, e.g. for the future development of substrates for biointerfaces, catalysis and controlled wetting.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2040-3372
- Volume :
- 10
- Issue :
- 47
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nanoscale
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30484471
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1039/c8nr07059h