Super crystal structures of octahedral c-In₂O₃ nanocrystals

The three-dimensional self-assembly of a nanocrystal superlattice, i.e., a super crystal, has attracted increasing attention. The small building blocks for assemblies are usually spherical nanocrystals. Recent progress indicates that it is possible to achieve a super crystal using cubic nanocrystals. We further analyze and describe two-dimensional and some three-dimensional assemblies of uniform cubic-phase In₂O₃ nanocrystals with an octahedral shape. In this article, we demonstrate our amazing observations on these kinds of super crystals (or superlattices) as a model system, report their scale in at least tens of microns, and show other interesting features such as steps, terraces, kinks, and vacancies which are similar to those from a single crystal. Based on electron microscopy observations, three types of well-defined octahedral nanocrystal packed structures in such super crystal systems are also identified. The investigation of octahedral super crystal systems provides an alternate direction in research that may extend the interest of superlattice study to a broad spectrum by enriching and varying the shape of elemental building blocks. This may potentially result in new concepts and more challenging applications such as soft X-ray photonics.