Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
12:33
Origami Inspired Self-assembly of Patterned and Reconfigurable Particles
Published on: February 4, 2013
Two-step self-assembly of nanodisks into plate-built cylinders through oriented aggregation
Yao Cheng1, Yuansheng Wang, Yuanhui Zheng
1The State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|July 21, 2006
Summary
This study reveals a novel, additive-free method for self-assembling hexagonal lanthanum fluoride (LaF3) nanodisks into unique plate-built cylinders. This process occurs in acidic solutions and involves oriented aggregation and Ostwald ripening.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Crystallography
Background:
- Self-assembly is a crucial bottom-up fabrication strategy for nanomaterials.
- Controlling the morphology and structure of nanomaterials is essential for their applications.
- Lanthanum fluoride (LaF3) nanostructures have potential applications in optics and catalysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To disclose a novel oriented aggregation-based self-assembly process.
- To investigate the formation of plate-built cylinders from hexagonal LaF3 nanodisks.
- To elucidate the role of acidic conditions and nanodisk cavities in the self-assembly.
Main Methods:
- Utilized oriented aggregation of hexagonal LaF3 nanodisks.
- Employed acidic solutions without organic additives.
- Observed a two-step self-assembly mechanism involving coalescence and Ostwald ripening.
- Analyzed the role of nanodisk cavities and {100} plane aggregation.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized plate-built cylinders from LaF3 nanodisks.
- Identified a two-step self-assembly process: nanodisk coalescence into plates, followed by face-to-face stacking.
- Demonstrated that acidic conditions are critical for oriented aggregation.
- Proposed that cavities within nanodisks facilitate Ostwald ripening and surface smoothing.
Conclusions:
- A novel, additive-free self-assembly pathway for LaF3 nanostructures was established.
- The formation of plate-built cylinders is driven by oriented aggregation and Ostwald ripening in acidic media.
- The intrinsic features of LaF3 nanodisks, such as cavities and specific crystallographic planes, dictate the assembly pathway.
