Self-assembly of Resorcinarene-stabilized Gold Nanoparticles: Influence of the Macrocyclic Headgroup

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles can be encapsulated by various resorcinarene derivatives and assembled into monolayer films at solvent interfaces. Surface charge plays a critical role in both nanoparticle extraction and self-assembly: the degree of monolayer formation and local two-dimensional (2D) order within the nanoparticle arrays is dependent on the chemical nature of the resorcinarene headgroup as well as the presence of other electrolytes. Cluster size distribution analysis can be used to parameterize local 2D order within the arrays in a quantitative manner, based on mean cluster sizes and fractional hexagonal close-packed (hcp) cluster formation. 2D nanoparticle arrays can also be prepared in some cases using Langmuir–Blodgett techniques. These studies demonstrate that resorcinarenes with chemisorptive headgroups promote the self-assembly of well-ordered 2D arrays.