Nanoparticles have a very cool way of self-assembling (science talk for arranging themselves) in a drying solvent. At the right concentrations, the solvent surface-tension draws particles together into a monolayer. These TEM images show the awesome self-assembly of 10-nm magnetite nanoparticles suspended in water. Water has a high-surface tension and relatively low boiling point, which helps drive the self-assembly.
Cool self-assembly patterns of magnetite. Almost seem to resemble fractals don't they?
Another awesome image. You can almost get a feeling of how the water was drying.
A low magnification image
A medium magnification image.
A close up, showing the arrangement of individual 10 nm magnetite nanoparticles.
Read “Clustering behaviour of magnetic nanoparticles” to find out why solvent drying effects might be an issue when studying magnetic nanoparticles.
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