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Abstract The large‐scale fabrication of two‐dimensional periodic nanostructures in high quality holds great promises for building novel nanoscale devices. They have been conventionally produced using interface‐mediated self‐assembly strategies such as the Langmuir‐Blodgett and oil‐water interfacial assembly methods, which however are limited by the stringent requirements for the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the particle surface. In this article, we review the recent progress on the air‐liquid interfacial self‐assembly to demonstrate that such strategies are simple, inexpensive, effective, scalable, and versatile in the fabrication of two‐dimensional periodic nanostructured arrays. They can be successfully employed to assemble nanoparticles of various compositions and surface properties into periodic nanostructured monolayer films, which find many important applications, for example, in the construction of colorimetric sensors for gas, chemical, and biomedical detection.
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Nanoparticle Assembly: From Self‐Organization to Controlled Micropatterning for Enhanced Functionalities
Abstract Nanoparticles form long‐range micropatterns via self‐assembly or directed self‐assembly with superior mechanical, electrical, optical, magnetic, chemical, and other functional properties for broad applications, such as structural supports, thermal exchangers, optoelectronics, microelectronics, and robotics. The precisely defined particle assembly at the nanoscale with simultaneously scalable patterning at the microscale is indispensable for enabling functionality and improving the performance of devices. This article provides a comprehensive review of nanoparticle assembly formed primarily via the balance of forces at the nanoscale (e.g., van der Waals, colloidal, capillary, convection, and chemical forces) and nanoparticle‐template interactions (e.g., physical confinement, chemical functionalization, additive layer‐upon‐layer). The review commences with a general overview of nanoparticle self‐assembly, with the state‐of‐the‐art literature review and motivation. It subsequently reviews the recent progress in nanoparticle assembly without the presence of surface templates. Manufacturing techniques for surface template fabrication and their influence on nanoparticle assembly efficiency and effectiveness are then explored. The primary focus is the spatial organization and orientational preference of nanoparticles on non‐templated and pre‐templated surfaces in a controlled manner. Moreover, the article discusses broad applications of micropatterned surfaces, encompassing various fields. Finally, the review concludes with a summary of manufacturing methods, their limitations, and future trends in nanoparticle assembly.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2409815
- PAR ID:
- 10472876
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Small
- Volume:
- 20
- Issue:
- 6
- ISSN:
- 1613-6810
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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