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Surface Chemistry Directs the Tunable Assembly of TiO 2 Anatase Nanocubes into Three‐Dimensional Mesocrystals
Author(s) -
Huesmann Hannah,
Schechtel Eugen,
Lieberwirth Ingo,
Panthöfer Martin,
Tremel Wolfgang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
european journal of inorganic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1099-0682
pISSN - 1434-1948
DOI - 10.1002/ejic.201900376
Subject(s) - nanocrystal , nucleation , anatase , chemistry , self assembly , nanotechnology , superlattice , ionic bonding , steric effects , photocatalysis , materials science , catalysis , organic chemistry , ion , optoelectronics
An important step in nanocrystal self‐assembly is programming the large‐area organization of nanocrystals into superlattices with tunable packing efficiencies. Here we utilize nanoscale surface chemistry to direct the self‐assembly of TiO 2 (anatase) nanocubes into distinct three‐dimensional mesocrystals. High nanocrystal solubility combined with weak electrostatic attraction induced by the pH mediated surface charge was sufficient to organize 3,4‐dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid (DHCA) functionalized nanocubes into large superstructures with both translational and orientational order. The finding that translational and orientational order of nanocrystal superlattices can be induced by the interplay of thermal energy, steric repulsion, and ionic interactions in a nucleation and growth self‐assembly process offers insight into the importance of the initial nucleation stage in the self‐assembly process and suggests new routes for controlled self‐assembly of nanocrystals.