Synthesis and characterization of nanoheterostructures based on oligothiophene functionalized Ru nanoparticles

Monodisperse ruthenium nanoparticles functionalized by electroactive oligothiophenes have been prepared and characterized. Using TEM, UV–visible and FTIR we established that the organization of these nanoparticles into nanospheres can be directly controlled via modulation of the π–ππ–π interaction between the organic components adsorbed on the surface. This finding also shows that the self-assembled nanoheterostructures may be switched from monodisperse nanoparticles to ordered nanospheres by tuning the pH.