Nanoparticle assembly into a patterned template by controlling the surface wettability

Abstract

This study demonstrates a straightforward route for an assembly of colloidal nanoparticles into a desired area in a patterned template, using an evaporation method. An alternative method for fabricating a nanometer-scaled patterned template for the assembly of colloidal nanoparticles and different phenomena of colloidal nanoparticle template assemblies according to the surface wettability are presented. We also suggest that an adequate combination of the surface wettability coupled with the physical confinement afforded by the template should allow colloidal nanoparticle assembly into templates with various patterns. © IOP Publishing Ltd.