Disassembly and self-reassembly in periodic nanostructures: A face-centered-to-simple-cubic transformation

Cube it: Ordered three-dimensional arrays of nanocubes with an unusual simple-cubic packing geometry are formed when a TiO₂-P ₂O₅ inverse opal structure disassembles and self-reassembles during a synthesis involving a face-centered-cubic colloidal crystal template. In this way, it may be possible to alter nanoparticle shapes and achieve more-complex geometries in colloidal crystal systems. (Figure Presented).