‘Hot Article’: Polystyrene sphere templates for nanostructure arrays

This ‘Hot Article’ by Liang Li, Yoshio Bando, Dmitri Golberg and colleagues, reviews recent developments in the synthetic strategies and unique applications of one-dimensional (1D) nanostructure arrays based on polystyrene (PS) spheres.

Polystyrene sphere-assisted one-dimensional nanostructure arrays: synthesis and applicationsPolystyrene sphere-assisted one-dimensional nanostructure arrays: synthesis and applications
Liang Li, Tianyou Zhai, Haibo Zeng, Xiaosheng Fang, Yoshio Bando and Dmitri Golberg
J. Mater. Chem., 2011, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C0JM02230F, Feature Article

PS spheres can self-assemble into colloidal crystal monolayers that are currently employed as templates for the synthesis of 1D nanostructure arrays.  Compared to other classes of templates these monolayers can be easily formed and adjusted on substrates and further manipulated using subsequent growth methods.  Reported applications of PS-sphere mediated nanoarrays include field-emitters, antireflection, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), photonic crystals, surface wetting, and photocatalysis.

In this feature article, the team from the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan highlight recent developments in synthetic strategies, review emerging applications and analyse future challenges.

Read the full text here.  Free until November 24th!

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