Continuous phase transformation in nanocube assemblies

Phys Rev Lett. 2011 Sep 23;107(13):135701. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.135701. Epub 2011 Sep 21.

Abstract

The phase behavior of 3D assemblies of nanocubes in a ligand-rich solution upon solvent evaporation was experimentally investigated using small-angle x-ray scattering and electron microscopy. We observed a continuous transformation of assemblies between simple cubic and rhombohedral phases, where a variable angle of rhombohedral structure is determined by ligand thickness. We established a quantitative relationship between the particle shape evolution from cubes to quasispheres and the lattice distortion during the transformation, with a pathway exhibiting the highest known packing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Nanotubes / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes / ultrastructure*
  • Phase Transition*
  • Scattering, Small Angle
  • Solvents / chemistry*
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Solvents