Local orientational order in self‐assembled nanoparticle films: the role of ligand composition and salt. Issue 4 (22nd July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lehmkühler, Felix; Schulz, Florian; Schroer, Martin A.; Frenzel, Lara; Lange, Holger; Grübel, Gerhard
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied crystallography. Volume 52:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 777
• Page End: 782
• Publication Date: 2019-07-22
• Subjects: X‐ray cross‐correlation analysis -- self‐assembly -- small‐angle X‐ray scattering -- colloids; Crystallography -- Periodicals; 548.05
• DOI: 10.1107/S1600576719007568
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8898

Abstract

Abstract : An X‐ray cross‐correlation study of the impact of ligand composition and salt content on the self‐assembly of soft‐shell nanoparticles is presented, indicating symmetry‐selective formation of order. Abstract : An X‐ray cross‐correlation study of the local orientational order in self‐assembled films made from PEGylated gold nanoparticles is presented. The local structure of this model system is dominated by four‐ and sixfold order. Coadsorption of shorter ligands in the particle's ligand layer and variation of salt concentration in the suspension prior to self‐assembly result in a change of local orientational order. The degree of sixfold order is reduced after salt addition. This decrease of order is less pronounced for the fourfold symmetry. The results presented here suggest complex symmetry‐selective order formation upon ligand exchange and salt addition and demonstrate the versatility of X‐ray cross‐correlation methods for nanoparticle superlattices.