Embedded nanoparticle films and method for their formation in selective areas on a surface

Abstract

One-dimensional materials are prepared from an array of nanoparticles positioned in one or more recesses of a substrate, wherein the recesses and the positioned nanoparticles have a comparable diameter of the same order of magnitude such that one nanoparticle is positioned within each of the one or more recesses; wherein a depth of the one or more recesses is from 10 nm to 40 nm; and wherein a diameter of the one or more recesses is adjusted by conformal film deposition and is between one and two times the mean diameter of the nanoparticles, and wherein the nanoparticles have a mean diameter of from 1 nm to 50 nm, and wherein the nanoparticles are catalytic sites for the growth of the one-dimensional materials; wherein the one dimensional materials are non-aggregated and extend in a direction that is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the horizontal surface of the substrate.