Time-resolved viscoelastic properties of self-assembling iron oxide nanocube superlattices probed by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring

• Self-assembly of nanoparticles into superlattices can be used to create hierarchically structured materials with tailored functions. We have used the surface sensitive quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) technique in combination with video microscopy (VM) to obtain time-resolved information on the mass increase and rheological properties of evaporation-induced self-assembly of nanocubes. We have recorded the frequency and dissipation shifts during growth and densification of superlattices formed by self-assembly of oleic acid capped, truncated iron oxide nanocubes and analyzed the time-resolved QCM-D data using a Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic model. We show that the nanoparticles first assemble into solvent-containing arrays dominated by a viscous response followed by a solvent releasing step that results in the formation of rigid and well-ordered superlattices. Our findings demonstrate that QCM-D can be successfully used to follow self-assembly and assist in the design of optimized routes to produce well-ordered superlattices.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Self-assembly

Anisotropic nanoparticles

Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D)

Viscoelastic modeling

Materials Chemistry

materialkemi

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