Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering investigation of spin-coated CoPt3 nanoparticle films

The investigation of ultra-thin self-assembled nanoparticle assemblies is currently receiving an overwhelming interest due to their possible applications in next-generation storage devices. Here, we present a comparative study of the ordering characteristics of monodisperse CoPt3 arrays deposited on different polymeric surface modifiers employing a spin-coating technique. Using grazing-incidence X-ray scattering, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, it is demonstrated that well-ordered nanoparticle films exhibiting correlation lengths in the order of 100 nm may be prepared on bis(3-aminopropyl)-terminated polyethyleneglycol using suitable spin-coating conditions.