Reorganization of Langmuir-Blodgett layers of silica nanoparticles induced by the low energy, high fluence ion irradiation

► Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) layers of silica nanoparticles have been prepared. ► The LB layers show reorganization under low energy, high fluence ion irradiation. ► Reorganization starts due to the Coulomb repulsive force between the particles. ► The ion fluence, and the initial selforganization determine the reorganization. ► The reorganization occurs until the thermal effects overwhelm the Coulomb force.