The systematic tunability of nanoparticle dimensions through the controlled loading of surface-deposited diblock copolymer micelles

The continuous tunability of iron oxide nanoparticle dimensions is demonstrated using the pH controlled loading of ferric nitrate from aqueous solution into polystyrene–block–polyacrylic acid reverse micelles deposited on a silicon substrate. Quasi-hexagonally ordered two-dimensional arrays of iron oxide nanoparticles with a systematic tunability of particle heights in the sub-10 nm regime and a constant periodicity are obtained and characterized with atomic force microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.