Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland.
Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 85, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
Nat Commun. 2017 May 12;8:15255. doi: 10.1038/ncomms15255.
One-dimensional conductive particle assembly holds promise for a variety of practical applications, in particular for a new generation of electronic devices. However, synthesis of such chains with programmable shapes outside a liquid environment has proven difficult. Here we report a route to simply 'pull' flexible granular and colloidal chains out of a dispersion by combining field-directed assembly and capillary effects. These chains are automatically stabilized by liquid bridges formed between adjacent particles, without the need for continuous energy input or special particle functionalization. They can further be deposited onto any surface and form desired conductive patterns, potentially applicable to the manufacturing of simple electronic circuits. Various aspects of our route, including the role of particle size and the voltages needed, are studied in detail. Looking towards practical applications, we also present the possibility of two-dimensional writing, rapid solidification of chains and methods to scale up chain production.
一维导电颗粒组装有望在各种实际应用中得到应用，特别是在新一代电子设备中。然而，在液体环境之外合成具有可编程形状的此类链已被证明具有挑战性。在这里，我们报告了一种通过结合场定向组装和毛细作用从分散体中简单地“拉出”柔性颗粒和胶体链的方法。这些链通过在相邻颗粒之间形成的液桥自动稳定，而无需连续的能量输入或特殊的颗粒功能化。它们可以进一步沉积到任何表面上，并形成所需的导电图案，可能适用于简单电子电路的制造。我们详细研究了我们的方法的各个方面，包括颗粒大小和所需电压的作用。展望实际应用，我们还提出了二维书写、链的快速凝固以及扩大链生产的方法的可能性。
