Mesoscale organization of metal nanocrystals*
G. U. Kulkarni, P. John Thomas, and C. N. R. Rao**
Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, Jawaharlal
Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore 560
064, India
Abstract: Nanocrystals of metals covered by alkanethiols organize
themselves in two-dimensional arrays. We discuss such arrays of metal
nanocrystals at length, with focus on the dependence of the structure
and the stability of the arrays on the particle diameter and the distance
between the particles. Three-dimensional superstructures of metal nanocrystals
obtained by the use of alkanedithiols are examined. These ordered two-
and three-dimensional structures of thiolized metal nanocrystals are
good examples of mesoscale self-assembly. The association of metal nanocrystals
to give rise to giant clusters with magic nuclearity provides an even
more graphic demonstration of mesoscale self-assembly.
* Special Topic Issue on the Theme
of Nanostructured Advanced Materials
**Corresponding author
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