Recreating nature with dendrite-like self-assembly of magnetite nanoparticles

The self-organisation of magnetite nanoparticles (FeNPs) into fractal dendrite-like structures is reported. The fractal alignment was addressed by the diffusion-limited aggregation dynamics of solvent dewetting. Ethylene glycol and folate anion were used as capping agents of the FeNPs. The presence of ethylene glycol is critical for the fractal growth process. X-ray and magnetisation measurements, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, confocal fluorescence and Raman spectroscopies were used to characterise the dendritic structures.