Non-chemical approach toward 2D self-assemblies of Ag nanoparticles via cold plasma treatment of substrates

The nano-modification of selected substrates by means of atmospheric cold plasma treatment was exploited for the two-dimensional (2D) self-assembling of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). Such a useful combination of the cold plasma treatment of substrate surface and an immediate easy deposition of Ag NPs creating the 2D self-assemblies on the substrates is published for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. Except for the cold plasma treatment, mainly the following parameters influenced the resulting NP assemblies: the choice of solvent mixture, concentration of Ag NP dispersions, and the deposition technique. The 2D self-assemblies of Ag NPs, providing the same work function as a Ag electrode, were formed on the cold plasma-treated substrates when a drop-casting technique was employed. The possibility of an easy preparation of the Ag NP 2D self-assemblies on substrates without using any chemical agents and/or evaporating chamber could be exploited, e.g. in photovoltaic and light-emitting diode devices.