Precise control of surface patches on nanoparticles (NPs) can realize the great potentials of patchy NPs in directed assembly, catalysis and drug delivery. The prevailing synthetic methods of patchy NPs rely on the post-adsorption reorganization of uniformly coated ligands on NPs, which involve multiple steps to trigger the patch formation and lack the molecular-level control of ligands. Here, we apply the concept of “island formation” established for planar substrates, where ligands laterally cluster as they adsorb, to prepare patchy NPs with precise patterns and patch sizes <i>via</i> a one-pot process. Using gold triangular nanoprisms and 2-naphthalenethiols (2-NAT) as a prototypical system, we show that the preferential adsorption of 2-NAT on the prism tips leads to formation of tip patches. We demonstrate that the tip-patched prisms can assemble into unexpected assemblies due to the patch-patch interactions. We also showcase this island formation mechanism as a generalizable strategy to pattern functional patches on NPs of other anisotropic shapes. The highly tunable surface patches, in addition to the plentiful NP core shape and composition, are expected to bring new possibilities towards the design of hybrid anisotropic NPs with directional interparticle interactions for applications in directed assembly and reconfigurable materials.

One-pot polymer patch deposition on gold nanoparticles via ligand island formation

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.