In situ formation and ordered assembly of gold nanoclusters to nano-ribbons at the oil/water interface

Abstract

Ordered assembly of ultra-small nanoparticles or nanoclusters remains a challenge due to their large surface energy induced ripening and isotropic aggregation. In this communication, an in situ formation and assembly of ultra-small gold nanoclusters at the oil/water interface was developed to assemble gold nanoclusters into well-defined nano-ribbon structures. The resulting nano-ribbons exhibited enhanced optical properties and larger Stokes's shift than those of random dispersed gold nanoclusters. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.