Self-assembled nanostructures via electrospraying

A concentrated nanoparticulate-based ethylene glycol suspension was prepared and electrosprayed at optimum and stable cone-jet mode conditions. Using laser spectroscopy, the droplets were measured and found to range within similar to 0.23-3.8 mu m. In parallel to spectroscopyassisted sizing, a volume equivalence route for estimating droplet sizes was carried out by measuring contact angles and diameters of the deposits. The electrosprayed nanosuspension relics were examined using optical and transmission electron microscopy. These deposits were further characterized using energy-dispersive X-rays and selected area electron diffraction. Simultaneously deposits were formed by a controlled route through needle deposition without the presence of an electric field. The structures formed in this non-electric field driven route are compared with those formed with electric fields. Thus, elucidating electrosprays as a competing nanofabrication route for forming self-assemblies with a wide range of nanomaterials in the nanoscale for top-down based bottom-up assembly of structures. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.