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The Effect of Mesogenic Coronas on the Type and Anisotropy of Gold Nanoparticle Superlattices: When Can the Tail Wag the Dog?

Zhao, Yang yang; Li, Yaxin; Cao, Yu; Mehl, Georg H.; Liu, Feng; Ungar, Goran

Authors

Yang yang Zhao

Yaxin Li

Yu Cao

Feng Liu

Goran Ungar



Abstract

The correlation between the size of nanoparticles, the structure and shape of mesogenic ligands and the ensuing assembly behaviour is not really understood. Closer inspection shows very surprising features. Here, 2- and 4-nm gold nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized, and grafted with a forked ligand containing two rod-like mesogens in its branches: one cholesterol, the other with azobenzene. The 4-nm NPs also contained n-hexylthiol as co-ligand. They were found to form a FCC cubic superlattice, whereas the 2-nm NPs form hexagonal HCP with weak birefringence, hence with partially oriented ligands. The structures were compared with those of related systems containing a range of different azobenzene-to-cholesterol ratios, all giving body-centred tetragonal superlattices with various degrees of anisotropy. Geometric analysis is presented in terms of the asphericity of the NPs’ surroundings, requirement for space-filling and structural anisotropy. Some general rules are derived to help design the soft corona around the NPs in order to obtain superlattices with the desired structure and anisotropy.

Citation

Zhao, Y. Y., Li, Y., Cao, Y., Mehl, G. H., Liu, F., & Ungar, G. (2023). The Effect of Mesogenic Coronas on the Type and Anisotropy of Gold Nanoparticle Superlattices: When Can the Tail Wag the Dog?. Chemistry: a European journal, 29(11), Article e202203673. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202203673

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 19, 2022
Online Publication Date Jan 26, 2023
Publication Date Feb 21, 2023
Deposit Date Mar 5, 2023
Publicly Available Date Mar 9, 2023
Journal Chemistry - A European Journal
Print ISSN 0947-6539
Electronic ISSN 1521-3765
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 29
Issue 11
Article Number e202203673
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202203673
Keywords General Chemistry; Catalysis; Organic Chemistry
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4187960

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