Elsevier

Ultramicroscopy

Volume 82, Issues 1–4, February 2000, Pages 135-139
Ultramicroscopy

Manipulation of gold nanoparticles in liquid environments using scanning force microscopy

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3991(99)00152-7Get rights and content

Abstract

Precise and controlled manipulation of individual gold nanoparticles (deposited on a Si/SiO2 surface) in liquid environments using the tip of a scanning force microscope is reported for the first time. Experiments were performed in deionized water and in ethanol as a prototype for an organic solvent. Analysis of the amplitude signal of the cantilever before and during manipulation reveals that the particles are pushed across the surface, similar to the manipulation of nanoparticles in air.

Introduction

Nanoparticle patterns have a variety of potential applications, from digital data storage to single-electron electronics and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) [1]. Precise positioning of individual nanoparticles is essential to assemble complex two- and three-dimensional structures. Although regular, symmetric patterns of nanoparticles can be constructed by self-assembly [2], [3], [4], many of the possible applications require asymmetric shapes. One promising approach for the construction of such nanostructures or nanodevices is the assembly from molecular-sized components. The scanning force microscope (SFM) can be used as a manipulation tool to move nanoparticles (as the smallest building blocks) and nanostructures without the restrictions imposed by the physics of self-assembly [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10]. By connecting individual nanoparticles, it is possible to construct relatively rigid structures or “primitives” of arbitrary (planar) shape [11]. These, in turn, may serve as components for building complex NEMS.

Nanomanipulation in biochemical and medical areas, however, will require that most experiments be performed in a liquid environment. Atomic force microscopy has already proven its imaging capabilities in liquid environments [12], [13], [14]. But in nanomanipulation only dynamic mode SFM (with an oscillating cantilever) will likely satisfy the need to minimize the influence of the tip on the sample. Furthermore, lateral shear forces are mostly excluded, allowing the imaging and controlled manipulation of even weakly bonded structures on surfaces. In this report we describe for the first time the manipulation of randomly distributed, individual nanoparticles with diameters of 20–30 nm in liquid environments.

Section snippets

Experimental

The samples were prepared by depositing colloidal gold particles (EM.GC15; Ted Pella Inc.) with diameters of 15 and 30 nm from aqueous solutions on the native SiO2 surface of a Si substrate. Prior to deposition of the nanoparticles the SiO2 surface had been coated with a film of polylysine. A droplet of nanoparticle solution was placed on the substrate for 5 min. Subsequently, the sample was rinsed with deionized water, dried with nitrogen, and heated in an oven for 15 min at 120°C. Imaging and

Results

Fig. 1 displays a sequence of MAC mode SFM images taken in deionized water before and after pushing. The scan area is 700 nm×700 nm and the height scale is 15 nm from black to white. Among others, four particles with diameters of ∼27 nm and marked by the numbers 1–4, and one particle with a diameter of 15 nm marked as number 5 can be observed. Fig. 1b records the successful pushing of particles 3 and 5 with respect to Fig. 1a. Subsequently, all four particles 1–4 were manipulated to form a line of 27

Conclusion

Manipulation of nanoparticles utilizing the tip of a scanning force microscope has been demonstrated in liquids for the first time. The nanoparticles can be precisely translated by mechanically pushing and multi-particle nanoscale 2-D patterns can be assembled from single gold nanoparticles with the sample immersed in solutions. This greatly extends the previously reported capabilities for SFM manipulation in two ways. The ability to perform mechanical nanomanipulation in liquids offers the

Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by the Z.A. Kaprielian Technology Innovation Fund and by the NSF under grant EIA-98-71775.

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