Nanometer positioning, parallel alignment, and placement of single anisotropic nanoparticles using hydrodynamic forces in cylindrical droplets

Nano Lett. 2007 Sep;7(9):2693-700. doi: 10.1021/nl0711211. Epub 2007 Aug 4.

Abstract

Droplets of liquid drying on a surface with pinned contact area develop an internal hydrodynamic flow that carries entrained particles to the air-liquid-substrate interface. We use this phenomenon in cylindrical, micrometer-sized droplets of large aspect ratio (more than 1000:1) to align, position, and place individual anisotropic nanostructures such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). More than 84% of SWNT are aligned in parallel within +/-5 degrees relative to the target axis of alignment. A potential flow model accurately describes and quantifies the statistical variation in the positioning of the nanostructures. We demonstrate for the first time the top-down parallel alignment and placement of individual (unbundled) nanotubes from solution electrically contacted across gold electrodes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anisotropy
  • Computer Simulation
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Microfluidics / methods*
  • Micromanipulation / methods*
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Stress, Mechanical

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon