Modification of the Solution Behavior of Pd12L24 Metal–Organic Nanocages via PEGylation

The dilute solutions behaviors of Pd₁₂L₂₄ metal–organic nanocage and its two PEGylated derivatives are explored. The basic nanocages can self‐assemble into vesicle‐like blackberry structures in polar solvents via counterion‐mediated attraction, whereas the PEGylated nanocages always stay as discrete ions under the same conditions, demonstrating that the PEGylation can improve the stability of the single nanocages. In addition, larger nanocages are found to self‐assemble in less polar solvents.     

Plasmonic nanostructures for local field enhancement in the UV region

In this work we describe an ultraviolet subwavelength focusing in plasmonic nanostructures. A system which provides a 20–25 times local field enhancement at a wavelength of 350 nm is proposed. This system represents a metalized V-shaped groove in a surface of a dielectric medium. Subwavelength focusing is achieved by a plasmon wave propagation along the surface of metal film and by the transfer of electromagnetic field through the dielectric medium. The influence of system parameters on a local field enhancement is investigated. A simplified model that allows for determining the geometric parameters of an optimized resonator is proposed.     

Engineering Hierarchical Nanostructures by Elastocapillary Self‐Assembly

Surfaces coated with nanoscale filaments such as silicon nanowires and carbon nanotubes are potentially compelling for high‐performance battery and capacitor electrodes, photovoltaics, electrical interconnects, substrates for engineered cell growth, dry adhesives, and other smart materials. However, many of these applications require a wet environment or involve wet processing during their synthesis. The capillary forces introduced by these wet environments can lead to undesirable aggregation of nanoscale filaments, but control of capillary forces can enable manipulation of the filaments into discrete aggregates and novel hierarchical structures. Recent studies suggest that the elastocapillary self‐assembly of nanofilaments can be a versatile and scalable means to build complex and robust surface architectures. To enable a wider understanding and use of elastocapillary self‐assembly as a fabrication technology, we give an overview of the underlying fundamentals and classify typical implementations and surface designs for nanowires, nanotubes, and nanopillars made from a wide variety of materials. Finally, we discuss exemplary applications and future opportunities to realize new engineered surfaces by the elastocapillary self‐assembly of nanofilaments.