Linking and manipulation of gold multinanoparticle structures using dithiols and scanning force microscopy

Rigid nanoscale 2D structures of up to four individual gold nanoparticles w ere formed by using bifunctional organic molecules (dithiols) in combinatio n with scanning force microscopy manipulation. These structures can be eith er precisely translated by mechanical pushing across the surface or rotated about a specific axis. Experimental results are presented that show how si mple geometric shapes can be manipulated and assembled to form more complic ated structures. The nanoparticles were linked either by (i) forming a mult iparticle structure and subsequent treatment with dithiols or by (ii) pushi ng together individual particles, which were treated with dithiols prior to manipulation.