Understanding the formation of binary nanocrystal superlattices using metallic and semiconducting system

Abstract

Binary nanocrystal superlattices (BNSLs) of two different nanocrystals (NCs) with precise size and chemical composition were studied in this present work. NCs with different sizes and compositions mixed at ambient condition shows different kinds of self-assembly. These results strongly suggest that the radius ratio and the number density of individual NCs have a significant influence on the self-assembly process as mentioned in the literature. Moreover, when we performed the assembly at the different time and temperature, it was observed that single/monolayer (made of two different kinds of NCs positioned randomly) could be obtained at a lower temperature and lower time conditions. UV-Vis-NIR and XPS studies provided strong support towards the presence of an interaction between two types of NCs in the solution phase mixing also.