“Nano-egg” superstructures of hydrophobic nanocrystals dispersed in water

Abstract

In this feature article, we use hydrophobic ferrite (Fe₃O₄) nanocrystal shells filled with Au nanocrystals self-assembled into 3D superlattices and dispersed in water. These superstructures act as nano-heaters. The stability of such superstructures is very high, even for several years, when stored at room temperature. When subjected to an electron beam, the inverted structure of Fe₃O₄ structures is gradually dissolved due to the formation of hydrated electrons and hydroxyl radicals.