Following in Real Time the Two-Step Assembly of Nanoparticles into Mesocrystals in Levitating Drops

• Mesocrystals composed of crystallographically aligned nanocrystals are present in biominerals and assembled materials which show strongly directional properties of importance for mechanical protection and functional devices. Mesocrystals are commonly formed by complex biomineralization processes and can also be generated by assembly of anisotropic nanocrystals. Here, we follow the evaporation-induced assembly of maghemite nanocubes into mesocrystals in real time in levitating drops. Analysis of time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering data and ex situ scanning electron microscopy together with interparticle potential calculations show that the substrate-free, particle-mediated crystallization process proceeds in two stages involving the formation and rapid transformation of a dense, structurally disordered phase into ordered mesocrystals. Controlling and tailoring the particle-mediated formation of mesocrystals could be utilized to assemble designed nanoparticles into new materials with unique functions.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi (hsv//swe)

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

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Materialkemi (hsv//swe)

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

Keyword

Mesocrystal

anisotropic nanoparticles

SAXS

two-step crystallization

acoustic levitation

Materials Chemistry

materialkemi

acoustic levitation

anisotropic nanoparticles

Mesocrystal

SAXS

two-step crystallization

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)