Number-adjustable nanoparticle clusters realized by a combination of Ag and C60 nanoparticles in the gas phase

We demonstrate production of nanoparticle clusters, namely clusters composed of nanoparticles, using a combination of surface-active Ag nanoparticles and surface-inactive C60 nanoparticles. The produced clusters, after diameter-selection by a differential mobility analyzer, were analyzed by field-emission scanning electronic microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The produced clusters are found to be composed of outer surface-deposited Ag nanoparticles with ∼3 nm diameters that are distinctly isolated from one another and with an inner core composed of C60 molecules. The number of constituent Ag nanoparticles is adjustable by selection of the diameters of the clusters.