On the potentiality of a cluster-beam source to produce free-standing one-dimensional and two-dimensional FeAg nanostructures: mechanisms underlying their shape genesis. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Benelmekki, M.; Singh, V.; Baughman, K.W.; Bohra, M.; Kim, J.-H.
• Is Part Of: Materials today chemistry. Volume 19(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Nanorods -- Nanosheets -- Dry synthesis -- Matter transport -- Magnetic interactions -- Surface atom diffusion; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Chemistry; Materials -- Research; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 660.282
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtchem.2020.100405
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-5194

Abstract

Abstract: Controlling the morphology and composition of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) assemblies of matter is essential to design and create nanostructures with exceptional material properties, for applications ranging from nanoelectronics to nanomedicine. Within this latter, a great interest is placed on assembling magnetoplasmonic nanostructures to enable multimodal biosensing and bioimaging for early diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. To date, the synthesis of such complex nanostructures is mostly relying on wet chemistry and templates. Herein, we employed a templateless physical method to generate FeAg-based anisotropic nanostructures, using a modified cluster source. Under tuned experimental conditions, we demonstrated the successful magnetic-assisted assembly of Fe nanoclusters (Fe NCs), to form stable and permanent branched Fe nanorods (Fe NRs), core@shell Fe@Ag-NRs, Fe nanosheets (Fe NSs), and Fe/Ag-NSs. This assembly is driven by the need to reduce their magnetic interaction energy on one hand and their overall surface energy on the other hand. When NCs and NRs are magnetically brought into intimate contact, they undergo a coalescence process, through the interfacial diffusion of the surface atoms, resulting in the formation of 1D and 2D nanostructures. For Fe@Ag NRs, the advantage conferred by the Ag shell is to protect Fe NRs from oxidation and prevent them from aggregation at the same time. The observed contrast reversal in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of Fe NRs and Fe NSs is discussed. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Vapor-phase synthesis of FeAg anisotropic-nanostructures. Coalescence and fast sintering of nanoclusters at their interface contact. Interfacial matter transport through surface-atoms diffusion. Permanent spatial rearrangement of FeAg nanorods. Electron-beam interaction with surface-atoms.