Abstract

Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) has been used to characterize nanoparticles, normally in forms of colloidal suspension. In this study, FePt3 nanoparticles were self-assembled at the liquid-air interface, transferred to SiOcoated copper grids and then measured by synchrotron SAXS. The scattering profile displays a single broad peak. The scattering vector at which this peak occurs (q<inf>peak</inf>) varies with the concentration of FePt3 colloidal suspension used in the liquid-air interface assembly. When the concentration is increased from 0.2 to 0.4 mg/ml, the q<inf>peak</inf> is decreased signifying the increase in particle spacing. The result is consistent with transmission electron microscope (TEM) images that the voids in self-assembly pattern are increasingly observed at higher concentrations used.