A Moir\xe9 interference pattern formation of magnetic nanoparticles by rotational magnetic field controlled interfacial self-assembly

Abstract

‘Magic-angled’ structure currently attracts increasing attention from condensed matter physics due to its amazing performance in superconductivity of graphene. The similar pattern formation of nanoparticles will bring about novel physics in nanoscale that causes the next generation nanodevices. However, it remains a challenging task to acquire such patterns by self-assembly process. In this article, we reported a Moiré interference pattern formation of magnetic nanoparticles regulated by a rotational magnetic field. The colloidal concentration, the strength, and the frequency of magnetic field were found to affect the pattern formation. The mechanism lied in a two-step process. First, the magnetic nanoparticles formed bilayers of superlattice driven by hydrophobic interaction of interfacial self-assembly. Then, the bilayers of superlattice yielded asynchronous rotational displacement resulting from the magnetic force so that the Moiré interference pattern of nanoparticles formed. This fabrication methodology based on the field-controlled self-assembly provided a novel and simple means to get ‘magic angled’ structures in nanoscale that will enrich the physical understanding of nanotechnology.