A general method for assembling single colloidal particle lines.

We have developed a general method for assembling colloidal particles into one-dimensional lines of single particle thickness. Well-spaced, parallel single particle lines can be readily deposited on a substrate from a dilute Langmuir-Blodgett particle monolayer via a stick-slip motion of the water-substrate contact line. The particle density within the lines is controllable by the particle concentration in the monolayer as well as the pulling speed of the substrate. Lines of a great variety of materials and sizes, ranging from a few nanometers to a few micrometers, have been demonstrated. Multiple depositions create complex patterns such as cross lines, even of different particles. The ability of placing nanoparticles into one-dimensional arrays enables the construction of higher hierarchical device structures. For example, using gold nanoparticle seeds, vertical single nanowire arrays of silicon can be grown replicating the pattern of single particle lines.