Creating selective directional interactions with defects caused by subnanometre-ordered ligand domains on the surface of colloidal metal nanoparticles for the purpose of directed self-assembly

Abstract

Introduction: The ability to utilize directional, specific bonds are a fundamental property of atoms which has allowed us to predictably create molecules of consistent geometry and composition for centuries. One fundamental difference between a true atom and a nanoparticle is that to date, nanoparticles do not possess this property.