Self-organization of nickel nanoparticles dispersed in acetone: From separate nanoparticles to three-dimensional superstructures

Sonochemical synthesis of monodisperse nickel nanoparticles (ni-nps) by reduction of ni acetylacetonate in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone stabilizer is reported. the ni-nps size is readily controlled to 5 nanometer diameter with a standard deviation of less than 5%. the as-prepared ni-nps sample was dispersed in acetone,for 4 weeks. for structural analysis was not applied to a magnetic field or heat treatment as key methods to direct the assembly. the transition from separate ni-nps into self-organization of three dimensions (3d) superstructures was studied by electron microscopy. experimental analysis suggests that the translation and rotation movement of the ni-nps are governed by magnetic frustration which promotes the formation of different geometric arrangements in two dimensions (2d). the formation of 3d superstructures is confirmed from scanning electron microscopy revealing a layered domain that consists of staking of several monolayers having multiple well-defined supercrystalline domains,enabling their use for optical,electronic and sensor applications. © 2016 king saud university