Pressure-Directed Assembly: new opportunity for nanoscience

(Fred Kavli Distinguished Lectureship in Nanoscience award presentation by Hongyou Fan at the 2015 MRS Spring Meeting)

Pressure modulates balanced interactions in self-assembled nanoparticle arrays (a), enables formation of 1-3 dimensional nanostructures (c). In-situ structural (d,e) and optical (f) interrogation show correlation and consistency with phase transition processes (e,g) and formation of the nanostructures (c).

Scientific Achievement

Pressure-Directed Assembly modulates nanoparticle interactions, enables ‘reversible and adjustable’ mesoscale assembly and exploration of collective physical characteristics for design and fabrication of novel nanoelectronic and photonic materials.

Significance and Impact

Exerting pressure-dependent control over nanoparticle arrays provides a unique and robust system to understand collective physics and to control optical property and energy transfer (Au, Ag, CdSe, FePt, etc.).

Research Details

–Below threshold pressure, the interparticle spacing and resulting surface plasmon coupling were systematically and reversibly tuned.

Above threshold pressure, nanoparticles consolidated into 1-3 dimensional novel nanoelectronic and photonic materials (e.g., nanorods, nanowires, nanosheets, etc.)