Ordered arrangements of metal nanoparticles on alpha-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes by magnetron sputtering

An ordered self-assembly of copper, silver and gold nanoparticles onto crystal faces of α-cyclodextrin/1-octanethiol and 2α-cyclodextrin/1-octylamine inclusion complexes by means of physical vapor deposition (magnetron sputtering) has been achieved. The preferential deposition on the (0 0 1) plane of the supramolecular crystal occurs because the –SH and –NH2 groups from the guest molecules found within the α-cyclodextrin protrude into that plane. These functional groups form a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice that interacts with the metal nanoparticles, arranging them in an ordered way.