Direction-specific van der Waals attraction between rutile TiO 2 nanocrystals

Abstract

When forces depend on orientation In oriented attachment, small nuclei or crystals come together to make a larger crystal, but only when complementary facets approach each other. Does this mean that there is an orientational dependence of the force between two nanocrystals? Zhang et al. report a delicate method to measure the van der Waals attraction between rutile TiO 2 nanocrystals. They imaged the contact point in situ with environmental transmission electron microscopy, which allowed the interparticle distances to be measured accurately. This elucidated the relationship between the nanocrystals' orientations, surface hydrations, and interactions. The results suggest that there is enough force to generate a torque between the crystals to ensure a complementary interaction. Science , this issue p. 434