Spontaneous Formation of Ordered 3D Superlattices of Nanocrystals from Polydisperse Colloidal Solutions

Abstract

Order from disorder: Highly ordered nanocrystal super-lattices accommodating identical tin particles spontaneously crystallize from a dispersion displaying no order. Two structure types were identified, a noncompact one displaying uniform orientations of the particles atomic planes, and an unprecedented one containing monodisperse larger and more anisotropic particles (see electron micrographs). Which structure is formed depends on the reaction conditions used.