Nanoparticle Superlattice Engineering with DNA

TLDR

Nanoparticle superlattice engineering is limited because the particle identities dictate achievable crystallographic symmetries and lattice parameters. The authors aim to provide six design rules that enable the deliberate fabrication of nine distinct colloidal crystal structures with tunable lattice parameters from 25 to 150 nm. These rules allow independent adjustment of particle size (5–60 nm), periodicity, and interparticle distance to control crystallographic parameters. The study demonstrates that this approach advances the synthesis of predictable, tailorable macroscale architectures from nanoscale materials.

Abstract

A current limitation in nanoparticle superlattice engineering is that the identities of the particles being assembled often determine the structures that can be synthesized. Therefore, specific crystallographic symmetries or lattice parameters can only be achieved using specific nanoparticles as building blocks (and vice versa). We present six design rules that can be used to deliberately prepare nine distinct colloidal crystal structures, with control over lattice parameters on the 25- to 150-nanometer length scale. These design rules outline a strategy to independently adjust each of the relevant crystallographic parameters, including particle size (5 to 60 nanometers), periodicity, and interparticle distance. As such, this work represents an advance in synthesizing tailorable macroscale architectures comprising nanoscale materials in a predictable fashion.