What Role do Electrostatic Interactions Play in Nanoparticle Assembly?
Self-assembly of nanoparticles is often driven by electrostatic forces. By carefully designing the surface charge and functional groups of nanoparticles, researchers can direct the assembly into desired structures, such as nanowires, nanorods, or nanoflowers. Electrostatic interactions can also be used to create hierarchical structures, where different types of nanomaterials combine to form complex architectures.