Self-assembly of CdS nanocrystals obtained by Langmuir-Blodgett technique on the SiO2 surface

Self-assembly of CdS nanocrystals during evaporation of Langmuir-Blodgett matrix on the silica surface was investigated. Information about the size and spatial distribution of self-assembled nanocrystal ensembles were obtained using atomic force microscopy. It was found that matrix annealing temperature strongly affect self-assembly pattern. At annealing temperatures within the range of 175-200°C self-assembly mainly determined by vad der Waals forces between the nanocrystals resulting in formation of three-dimensional ensembles. With annealing temperature increase NC tend to spread evenly on the substrate surface create due to increase on capillary forces influence on self-assembly process.