Weijiang Zhou

All Publications

• Reduced propagation loss of surface plasmon polaritons on Ag nanowire-graphene hybrid Nano Energy Wang, W., Zhou, W., et al 2018; 48: 197-201

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.03.045

• Trends in mica-mica adhesion reflect the influence of molecular details on long-range dispersion forces underlying aggregation and coalignment. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Li, D., Chun, J., Xiao, D., Zhou, W., Cai, H., Zhang, L., Rosso, K. M., Mundy, C. J., Schenter, G. K., De Yoreo, J. J. 2017; 114 (29): 7537–42

  Abstract

  Oriented attachment of nanocrystalline subunits is recognized as a common crystallization pathway that is closely related to formation of nanoparticle superlattices, mesocrystals, and other kinetically stabilized structures. Approaching particles have been observed to rotate to achieve coalignment while separated by nanometer-scale solvent layers. Little is known about the forces that drive coalignment, particularly in this "solvent-separated" regime. To obtain a mechanistic understanding of this process, we used atomic-force-microscopy-based dynamic force spectroscopy with tips fabricated from oriented mica to measure the adhesion forces between mica (001) surfaces in electrolyte solutions as a function of orientation, temperature, electrolyte type, and electrolyte concentration. The results reveal an ∼60° periodicity as well as a complex dependence on electrolyte concentration and temperature. A continuum model that considers the competition between electrostatic repulsion and van der Waals attraction, augmented by microscopic details that include surface separation, water structure, ion hydration, and charge regulation at the interface, qualitatively reproduces the observed trends and implies that dispersion forces are responsible for establishing coalignment in the solvent-separated state.

  View details for PubMedID 28679632

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5530655