Self-Assembly of Semiconductor Nanoparticles Mimicking Biomolecules

Self-assembly of inorganic nanocolloids has produced a variety of shapes and structures including 1D, 2D and 3D architectures. The ability to utilize novel synthetic routes to assemble nanoparticles (NPs) into complex morphologies for specific functions is a huge challenge in the field of nanotechnology. The assembly is often a quite difficult multistage process involving structure-directing ligands such as organic or biomolecular ligands attached to nanocolloids. Fabricating nanoscale structures similar to alpha-helix or beta-sheets using NP-NP assembly is a unique method for mimicking the biomolecular structures. This approach opens the door for replicating complex biological topologies and functions using inorganic NP assemblies. There is a need to understand and rigorously demonstrate the possibilities of significantly increased complexity of the self-organized structures made from NPs. This study demonstrates the assembly of CdTe NPs into nanowires, nanosheets, or helical nanoribbons depending on the amount and type of capping group used. Computer simulations were also carried out to understand and predict the packing of tetrahedral CdTe NPs in the superstructures. This study also demonstrates the idea of crafting natural structures by self-assembly of NPs to be employed as machinery with advanced physical responses.