Naturally self-assembled nickel nanolattice
  This is the first report on the critical nature of nanolattice formability of different particle size (~4-10nm) of monodispersed nickel nanoparticles. They exhibit strikingly hexagonal close-packed (hcp) nanolattices without extra forces, whenever trioctylphosphine is (one of) the surfactant(s). This clearly establishes the unique role of nanolattice formability of trioctylphosphine. The c/a ratios are interestingly identical to those of atomic lattices. An attempt has also been made to explain them based on the balanced attractive and repulsive forces of the surfactant-generated cation-anion pairs on the surface of the nanoparticles. The present findings therefore will provide a far-reaching vista to fabrication of varieties of natural nanolattices and their understanding on applications in a new paradigm. 
Jaiveer Singh, Netram Kaurav, Niranjan Prasad Lalla and Gunadhor Singh   Okram
cond-mat.mes-hall