Shape-induced simple cubic arrangement in three-dimensional nanocube self-assemblies

Abstract

The simple cubic packing rarely appears in nature primarily due to its low packing density. Here, we present that the cubic particle shape induces a preferred formation of three-dimensional arrays of simple cubic arrangement, confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and small-angle x-ray scattering. The calculation of van der Waals interaction energy between the particle cores showed that the highly coordinated, simple cubic packing is energetically the most stable, being consistent with the present experimental result. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.