Ultra-fast formation and characterization of stable nanoparticle film assemblies

Abstract

Novel assembled films of monolayer-protected clusters (MPCs) can be grown on gold and glass substrates with a 20-fold higher efficiency than established procedures. Thick MPC films grown using this new method, which can easily be scaled up or automated, are extremely stable and have properties identical to traditionally formed nanoparticle films, including unique quantized double layer charging effects. This new procedure for growing nanoparticle films shares the versatility of the traditional method but exhibits accelerated growth attributed to highly efficient sorption and mobility of metal ion linkers within swelled films and improved mass transfer of nanoparticles to assembly sites. Concentration and pH effects on the mechanism of film growth are shown to have substantial impact on the efficiency.