Fabrication Of Macroscopic Freestanding Films Of Metallic Nanoparticle Monolayers By Interfacial Self-assembly

摘要

Thanks to the nanometer-scale confinement of conduction electrons, noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit a unique plasmon resonance dependent on the particle size, the particle shape, the interparticle spacing, and the refractive index of the surrounding medium, which promises a plasmonics-based way of enhancing the performance of electronic devices, especially optoelectronic ones with nanometer-scale dimensions. Owing to their high specific surface area and high chemical activity, noble metal NPs had found applications in many chemical processes, such as catalysis and purification, even before they were recognized as revolutionary materials distinct from both molecular and bulk materials. In terms of these technical uses, the organization of noble metal NPs into macroscopic freestanding films is of paramount importance. However, the methods developed so far usually require sacrificial templates as primer supports. Directing self-assembly of NPs into macroscopically freestanding films without sacrificial supports is a formidable challenge.