Publication
Title
Competing forces in the self-assembly of coupled ZnO nanopyramids
Author
Abstract
Self-assembly (SA) of nanostructures has recently gained increasing interest. A clear understanding of the process is not straightforward since SA of nanoparticles is a complex multiscale phenomenon including different driving forces. Here, we study the SA between aluminum doped ZnO nanopyramids into couples by combining inorganic chemistry and advanced electron microscopy techniques with atomistic simulations. Our results show that the SA of the coupled nanopyramids is controlled first by morphology, as coupling only occurs in the case of pyramids with well-developed facets of the basal planes. The combination of electron microscopy and atomistic modeling reveals that the coupling is further driven by strong ligandligand interaction between the bases of the pyramids as dominant force, while screening effects due to Al doping or solvent as well as corecore interaction are only minor contributions. Our combined approach provides a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between the interactions at work in the coupled SA of ZnO nanopyramids.
Language
English
Source (journal)
ACS nano. - -
Publication
2015
ISSN
1936-0851
DOI
10.1021/ACSNANO.5B00809
Volume/pages
9 :4 (2015) , p. 3685-3694
ISI
000353867000030
Pubmed ID
25761847
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Colouring Atoms in 3 Dimensions (COLOURATOM).
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 10.06.2015
Last edited 09.10.2023
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