Directed self-assembly of hetero-nanoparticles using a polymer single crystal template

作者：Zhang Hui; Dong Bin; Zhou Tian; Li Christopher Y^*

来源：Nanoscale, 2012, 4(24): 7641-7645.

DOI：10.1039/c2nr32866f

• 4-Nitrophenol
• Collective properties
• Controllable synthesis
• Directed self-assembly
• Enhanced catalytic activity
• Mild synthesis
• Photovoltaics
• Polymer single crystals
• Pt nanoparticles
• Reduction reaction
• Templating

Hetero-nanoparticles represent a new class of nanomaterials exhibiting intriguing multifunctional and collective properties which could find applications in photovoltaics, fuel-cell catalysis, medical imaging and therapy, and electronics. In this paper, we report a novel polymer-single-crystal-templating (PSCryT) approach for the controllable synthesis of hetero-nanoparticles. 2D polymer single crystals are used to direct self-assembly of nanoparticles, yielding bicomponent Fe3O4-Pt, Fe3O4-Au, SiO2-Pt, and SiO2-Au and tri-component Fe3O4-Pt-Au hetero-nanoparticles with fine-tuned structures. The as-synthesized hetero-nanoparticles possess collective properties derived from the interface between different particles. For example, compared with pure Pt nanoparticles, Fe3O4-Pt showed enhanced catalytic activity when used in 4-nitrophenol reduction reaction. The PSCryT method is simple, versatile and can be performed in a rational, step-wise manner under mild synthesis conditions. It therefore provides a great opportunity for the development of designer hetero-nanoparticles targeted for various applications.

• 出版日期2012
• 单位Drexel University, Philadelphia