Gold nanoparticle supracrystals mechanics under pressure: the role of the soft matrix

Abstract

Nanocrystals, used as building blocks, may self-assemble in long-range ordered assemblies so-called supracrystals. Different structures FCC, BCC but also Frank-Kasper phases have been observed and the roles of the soft ligands surrounding the rigid crystalline cores in the self-assembly process is not yet well understood and need further study. The mechanical behavior under hydrostatic pressure of 3D single FCC crystals built by gold nanoparticles has been investigated using HP-SAXS and compared with pure alkane, corresponding to the ligand chain. No structural transition has been observed up to 12 GPa, but a large increase of the supracrystals bulk modulus has been measured.