• Raza, Muhammad Akram
• Zandvliet, Harold
• Kooij, Ernst Stefan
• Poelsema, B.

Abstract

<p>We present a simple procedure to selectively deposit gold nanoparticles using pure water. It enables patterning of nanoparticle monolayers with a remarkably high degree of selectivity on flat as well as microstructured oxide surfaces. We demonstrate that water molecules form a thin capping layer on exposed thiol molecules within mercaptan self-assembled layers. This reversible capping of water molecules locally deactivates the thiol groups, therewith inhibiting the binding of metallic gold nanoparticles to these specific areas. In addition, we show that this amazing role of water molecules can be used to selectively metallize the patterned gold nanoparticle arrays. Employing an electroless seeded growth process, the isolated seeds are enlarged past the percolation threshold to deposit conducting metal layers.</p>

Topics

• nanoparticle
• surface
• gold