Crystalline Nanodomains at Multifunctional Two-Dimensional Liquid–Metal Hybrid Interfaces

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) liquid–metal (LM) heterointerfaces with their tunable physicochemical characteristics are emerging platforms for the development of multifunctional hybrid nanostructures with numerous functional applications. From this perspective, the functionalization of LM galinstan nanoparticles (NPs) with crystalline nanodomains is a promising approach toward the synthesis of novel 2D hybrid LM heterointerfaces with unprecedented properties. However, the decoration of LM heterointerfaces with desired nanocrystalline structures is a challenging process due to simultaneous and intensive interactions between liquid–metal-based structures and metallic nanodomains. The present study discloses a facile and functional method for the growth of crystalline nanodomains at LM heterointerfaces. In this sonochemical-assisted synthesis method, acoustic waves provide the driving force for the growth of ultra-fine crystalline nanodomains on the surface of galinstan NPs. The galinstan NPs were initially engulfed within carbon nanotube (CNT) frameworks, to prevent intensive reactions with surrounding environment. These CNT frameworks furthermore separate galinstan NPs from the other products of sonochemistry reactions. The following material characterization studies demonstrated the nucleation and growth of various types of polycrystalline structures, including Ag, Se, and Nb nanodomains on 2D heterointerfaces of galinstan NPs. The functionalized galinstan NPs showed tunable electronic and photonic characteristics originated from their 2D hybrid interfaces.