Sequential growth at the sub-10 nm scale of cyanide bridged coordination networks on inorganic surfaces

A Novel Approach to the Facile Growth and Organization of Photothermal Prussian Blue Nanocrystals on Different Surfaces

We report here a novel "one-pot" approach for the controlled growth and organization of Prussian blue nanostructures on three different surfaces: pure Au0, cysteamine-functionalized Au0, and SiO2-supported lipid bilayers with different natures of lipids. We demonstrate that fine control over the size, morphology, and the degree and homogeneity of the surface coverage by Prussian Blue (PB) nanostructures may be achieved by manipulating different parameters, which are the precursor concentration, the nature of the functional groups or the nature of lipids on the surfaces. This allows the growth of isolated PB nanopyramids and nanocubes or the design of thin dense films over centimeter square surfaces. The formation of unusual Prussian blue nanopyramids is discussed. Finally, we demonstrate, by using experimental techniques and theoretical modeling, that PB nanoparticles deposited on the gold surface exhibit strong photothermal properties, permitting a rapid temperature increase up to 90 °C with a conversion of the laser power of almost 50% for power source heat.

Spatially controlled positioning of coordination polymer nanoparticles onto heterogeneous nanostructured surfaces

Prussian Blue Analog (PBA) nanoparticles were formed on a heterogeneous nanostructured surface made of an ordered nanoperforated titanium oxide thin film deposited on a gold layer. The study of the nanocomposite film by grazing-incidence wide angle X-ray scattering, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy shows that the PBA particles are precisely positioned within all the perforations of the oxide film over very large surface areas. Further investigation on the formation of the PBA particles demonstrates a decisive role of a heterogeneous nucleation of the coordination polymer driven by well-adjusted surfaces energies and reactant concentrations in the spatial positioning of the PBA particles. Thanks to the well-controlled positioning of the particles within the ordered nanoperforations, the latter were successfully used as nano crucibles for the local transformation of PBA into the corresponding metal alloy by heat treatment. The thin film heterostructure thus obtained, made of ferromagnetic islands isolated by diamagnetic walls, opens interesting perspectives for the design of magnetic storage devices.

Liquid-phase step-by-step growth of an iron cyanide coordination framework on LiCoO₂ particle surfaces

Surface modification of inorganic objects with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) - organic-inorganic hybrid framework materials with infinite networks - opens wide windows for potential applications. In order to derive a target property, the key is the ability to fine tune the degree of modification. Solution-based step-by-step growth techniques provide excellent control of layer thickness which can be varied with the number of deposition cycles. Such techniques with MOFs have been mainly applied to flat substrates, but not to particle surfaces before. Here, we present the facile surface modification of inorganic particles with a framework compound under operationally simple ambient conditions. A solution-based sequential technique involving the alternate immersion of LiCoO2 (LCO) - a positive electrode material for a lithium ion battery - into FeCl2·4H2O and K3[Fe(CN)6] solutions results in the formation of Prussian blue (PB) nanolayers on the surface of the LCO particles (PBNL@LCO). The PB growth is finely controlled by the number of immersion cycles. An electrochemical cell with PBNL@LCO as a positive electrode material exhibits a discharge capacity close to the specific capacity of LCO. The results open a new direction for creating suitable interfacial conditions between electrode materials and electrolytes in secondary battery materials.

Towards bottom-up nanopatterning of Prussian blue analogues

Ordered nanoperforated TiO2 monolayers fabricated through sol-gel chemistry were used to grow isolated particles of Prussian blue analogues (PBA). The elaboration of the TiO2/CoFe PBA nanocomposites involves five steps. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) all along the synthesis process. Selected physico-chemical parameters have been varied in order to determine the key steps of the synthesis process and to optimize it. This study is an important step towards the full control of the fabrication process.