Nanoparticle Assembly as a Materials Development Tool

Abstract

Nanoparticle assembly is a complex and versatile method of generating new materials, capable of using thousands of different combinations of particle size, shape, composition, and ligand chemistry to generate a library of unique structures. Here, a history of particle self-assembly as a strategy for materials discovery is presented, focusing on key advances in both synthesis and measurement of emergent properties to describe the current state of the field. Several key challenges for further advancement of nanoparticle assembly are also outlined, establishing a roadmap of critical research areas to enable the next generation of nanoparticle-based materials synthesis.

Assembly, Properties, and Application of Ordered Group II–VI and IV–VI Colloidal Semiconductor Nanoparticle Films

“…However, several long-term challenges remain (or just emerge) to bring these fundamental insights from the lab to actual applications. These include the upscaling of films toward largescale (>>µm 2 ) homogeneous assemblies, [39,311] device integration or combination with traditional bulk materials, [312] and automatization of film fabrication. To master these challenges will decide on the transfer of materials based on assemblies of colloidal nanoparticles to large scale applications.…”

DNA-functionalized colloidal crystals for macromolecular encapsulation

“…In addition, there are emergent mechanical properties of colloidal crystals provided by their ordering nature compared to those of amorphous colloidal assemblies. 14 In our previous study, we observed that DNA–AuNP crystals tend to maintain their single-crystal polyhedral shapes through the drying process. 15,16 However, DNA-functionalized colloidal crystallization for molecular encapsulation has rarely been studied.…”

Reversible assembly of nanoparticles: theory, strategies and computational simulations

“…For instance, the assembly of metal NPs shows unique optical, electronic, and magnetic properties that can be engineered for many technological uses. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Therefore, the ability to control the assembly of NPs not only is required for many real technological applications, but allows the combination of the intrinsic properties of NPs and opens the way to the exploitation of their complex interplay, giving full access to collective properties. In light of this, the assembly of NPs has been extensively addressed, both from the viewpoints of laboratory work and computational simulations.…”