Cover Picture: Crosslinked Nanoparticle Stripes and Hexagonal Networks Obtained via Selective Patterning of Block Copolymer Thin Films (Adv. Mater. 18/2005)

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) 2005-09, Vol.17 (18), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Shenhar, R., Jeoung, E., Srivastava, S., Norsten, T. B., Rotello, V. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Block copolymers; Iron; metal; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles, metal; Patterning
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.200590094

The construction and fixation of ordered nanoparticle arrays allow not only the exploitation of the array's collective physical properties but also the possibility of manipulating discrete aggregates within a larger‐scale assembly scheme. A simple approach utilizing block copolymer thin films as templates and coordination chemistry as a mild crosslinking mechanism is reported by Shenhar, Rotello, and co‐workers on p. 2206. The cover image (by Nicholas Fischer) shows terpyridine‐functionalized gold nanoparticles organized in stripes on top of a microphase‐separated thin film of polystyrene‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate) and crosslinked thorough the formation of iron–bisterpyridine complexes. Robust arrays of ordered nanoparticles (see Figure and cover) have been created by combining two self‐assembly strategies: microphase separation of block copolymers and coordination chemistry. Thin films of a microphase‐separated block copolymer serve as templates for patterning of terpyridine‐functionalized gold nanoparticles. Subsequent treatment with iron salts crosslinks the patterned nanoparticles via the formation of iron–terpyridine complexes.