Routes to Nanoparticle-Polymer Superlattices

Abstract

Nanoparticles can self-assemble into highly ordered two-and three-dimensional superlattices. For many practical applications these assemblies need to be integrated into polymeric matrices to provide stability and function. By appropriate co-assembly of nanoparticles and polymers it has become possible to tailor the nanoparticle superlattice structure via the length and stiffness of the polymer chains. The present article outlines and discusses established routes to nanoparticle-polymer superlattices. Recent progress has been remarkable so that the integration into functional devices has become the next challenge.

Mechanically Robust and Self‐Healable Superlattice Nanocomposites by Self‐Assembly of Single‐Component “Sticky” Polymer‐Grafted Nanoparticles

“…Surface functionalization with small molecule ligands, or DNA has been successfully used to assemble nanoparticles into several 2D and 3D crystalline morphologies, but such assemblies, in general, are not mechanically robust and the use of DNA ligands limits the general applicability for bulk materials synthesis. Dispersing nanoparticles in a matrix of polymers can enhance the stability and mechanical properties of nanocomposites; however, such multicomponent systems are limited by relatively low loading of nanoparticles and are complicated by issues such as aggregation and loss of structural order during processing. In contrast, self‐assembly of single‐component polymer‐grafted nanoparticles (SPNP) is a promising approach because it offers a number of advantages .…”

Self-Assembly of Polymer End-Tethered Gold Nanorods into Two-Dimensional Arrays with Tunable Tilt Structures

“…Gold nanorods (GNRs) are elongated nanoparticles (NPs), which possess two different localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks along their longitudinal axes and transverse axes. , This unique anisotropic property attracted much attention in the past decades. − Especially, ordered two-dimensional (2D) arrays assembled by GNRs, which can bring novel collective physical and chemical properties that cannot be realized in the original bulk nanomaterials, ,− provide potential applications in many fields, such as antibacterial materials, photothermal conversion, surface enhanced Raman scattering, and others. − …”

The Phase Behavior of Nanoparticle Superlattices in the Presence of a Solvent

“…Nanoparticle (NP) superlattices (NPSLs) are three-dimensional arrays of NPs stabilized by weak interactions. − The fabrication of NPSLs, empowered by fast advances in the synthesis of NPs of complex shapes and tunable surface chemistry, represents an outstanding opportunity for the design of novel materials with potential applications in electronics, photonics, and plasmonic devices. − Nanoparticle building blocks can be made from diverse materials, including metals, ,− dielectrics, and semiconductors. − The surface chemistry of these NPs can be tuned independently of the core composition by ligand exchange. For example, this procedure enables the preparation of NPSLs from NPs coated by DNA strands − and polymers. − However, most examples of NPSLs still involve NPs capped by the native ligands used to passivate them during synthesis, such as n- alkanethiols for metal nanoparticles ,, or alkyl-teminated carboxylic acids for semiconductor quantum dots. , These ligands form a soft corona around the inorganic core, which grants solubility before crystallization. Moreover, upon slow evaporation of the solvent, corona–corona interactions dictate the forces between neighboring NPs and drive the formation of the superlattice.…”