Self-Assembly of 2D Gold Nanoparticle Superlattice in a Polymer Vesicle Layer Driven by Hydrophobic Interaction

J Phys Chem Lett. 2021 Jul 22;12(28):6736-6743. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c01684. Epub 2021 Jul 15.

Abstract

Self-assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) into highly ordered superstructures provides a promising route toward fabricating materials with new functionalities or enhanced physical properties. Although self-assembly of AuNPs has garnered significant research attention recently, a highly ordered superlattice of AuNPs under a low concentration in a confined geometry formed by nonfunctionalized materials has not been reported. Herein, we investigate the self-assembly of a 2D AuNPs superlattice in a polymer vesicle layer using hydrophobic interactions, which exhibits centered rectangular lattice symmetry. To create the highly ordered AuNPs superlattice, the P(EGx-b-iPGEy) block copolymers that form the thickness of the hydrophobic vesicle layer comparable to the size of the AuNP are used as a template to control the AuNP degree of freedom. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first demonstration of a centered rectangular structure formation of AuNPs at the vesicle layer in 2D confined geometry.

MeSH terms

  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Particle Size
  • Polymers / chemistry*

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Gold