Synthesis and characterization of nanoheterostructures based on oligothiophene functionalized Ru nanoparticles

Monodisperse ruthenium nanoparticles functionalized by electroactive oligothiophenes have been prepared and characterized. Using TEM, UV-visible and FTIR we established that the organization of these nanoparticles into nanospheres can be directly controlled via modulation of the pi-pi interaction between the organic components adsorbed on the surface. This finding also shows that the self-assembled nanoheterostructures may be switched from monodisperse nanoparticles to ordered nanospheres by tuning the pH.