This paper reports the preparation of cubically ordered, self-assembled nanostructural crystals on micropatterned surfaces. Large ordered arrays of octahedral crystals were formed on substrates with triangular-shaped micropatterns that match the shape of the {111} surface morphology of the crystals. Many crystals became self-aligned in X, Y, and Z orientations through the interaction with the matching micropatterns. However, line micropatterns did not produce such well-defined crystals and crystal alignment. This work is among the first examples to show 3D crystal alignment independent of the long rodlike micellar structure that is characteristic of the hexagonal phases. Significantly, it also suggests that the geometry of the underline patterns has a large effect on the crystal morphology and orientation. We hope that these results will be helpful in developing microdevices based on self-assembled nanoscale materials.

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ZuschriftenMithilfe von mikroskopisch kleinen, polyedrischen selbstorganisierten Kristallen als Bausteinen bilden sich spontan gro˚e Kristalle und offene Mesophasen, in denen Form und Orientierung der zugrundeliegenden Struktureinheiten bewahrt bleiben. Diese Strukturen stehen in Einklang mit einfachen geometrischen Modellen. Mehr zu diesem Thema erfahren Sie im Beitrag von Liu et al. auf den folgenden Seiten.