Colloidal assemblies used as templates to control the size, shape and self organization of nanoparticles

In this paper we show that the use of colloidal assemblies as templates favors the control of the size and shape of nanoparticles. As expected theoretically, the change in size and shape of copper metal nanosized particles induces changes in their optical properties. Cylindrical copper metal particles having the same size and shape can be obtained in various regions of the phase diagram when the template is made of interconnected cylinders. Self-assembly of silver and silver sulfide nanoparticles is reported. Monolayers of particles organized in a hexagonal network are formed over very large domains. Small or large aggregates can also be produced and, in these aggregates, the particles are highly organized and form pseudo-crystals with a face-centered cubic structure for various particle sizes.