Real‐Time Tracking of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticle Self‐Assembly |
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Authors: | P Siffalovic E Majkova L Chitu M Jergel S Luby I Capek A Satka A Timmann S V Roth |
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Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences Dubravska cesta 9, 84236 Bratislava (Slovakia);2. Polymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences Dubravska cesta 9, 84511 Bratislava (Slovakia);3. International Laser Center Ilkovicava 3, 81219 Bratislava (Slovakia);4. HASYLAB/DESY Notkestrasse 86, 22603 Hamburg (Germany) |
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Abstract: | The spontaneous self‐assembly process of superparamagnetic nanoparticles in a fast‐drying colloidal drop is observed in real time. The grazing‐incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering (GISAXS) technique is employed for an in situ tracking of the reciprocal space, with a 3 ms delay time between subsequent frames delivered by a new generation of X‐ray cameras. A focused synchrotron beam and sophisticated sample oscillations make it possible to relate the dynamic reciprocal to direct space features and to localize the self‐assembly. In particular, no nanoparticle ordering is found inside the evaporating drop and near‐surface region down to a drop thickness of 90 µm. Scanning through the shrinking drop‐contact line indicates the start of self‐assembly near the drop three‐phase interface, in accord with theoretical predictions. The results obtained have direct implications for establishing the self‐assembly process as a routine technological step in the preparation of new nanostructures. |
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Keywords: | nanoparticles self‐assembly superparamagnetism X‐ray scattering |
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