Synthesis, characterization, and biotemplated assembly of indium nitride and indium gallium nitride nanoparticles

Abstract

A low-temperature, ambient pressure solution synthesis of colloidal InN nanoparticles is presented. This synthesis utilizes a previously dismissed precursor and results in individual, non-aggregated nanoparticles with long-term solubility and stability in organic solvents. These nanoparticles are wurtzite phase with a measured bandgap as low as 0.79 eV and average size of 6.2 nm. Based on this synthesis, indium-rich InGaN nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. Chemical, structural, and optical analysis indicated up to 10% gallium incorporation before encountering the miscibility gap. Using CdSe nanoparticles as a model system, M13 bacteriophage-mediated, two-dimensional nanoparticle assembly was examined as a route for scaleable, large-area nanoparticle films. The method uses close-packed, self-assembly of M13 on layer-by-layer deposited polyelectrolyte surfaces and was able to assemble aminated nanoparticles with strong specificity.