The nanocrystal superlattice pressure cell: a novel approach to study molecular bundles under uniaxial compression.

ABSTRACT: Ordered assemblies of inorganic nanocrystals coated with organic linkers present interesting scientific challenges in hard and soft matter physics. We demonstrate that a nanocrystal superlattice under compression serves as a nanoscopic pressure cell to enable studies of molecular linkers under uniaxial compression. We developed a method to uniaxially compress the bifunctional organic linker by attaching both ends of aliphatic chains to neighboring PbS nanocrystals in a superlattice. Pressurizing the nanocrystal superlattice in a diamond anvil cell thus results in compression of the molecular linkers along their chain direction. Small-angle and wide-angle X-ray scattering during the compression provide insights into the structure of the superlattice and nanocrystal cores under compression,

SUBMITTER: Bian K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4134178 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature