Oriented attachment (OA), a crucial crystal growth mechanism, involves face-specific attractions between nanocrystals. This study uses ZnO as a model to connect in situ TEM observations of single-particle and ensemble assembly dynamics with simulations of interparticle forces. The research reveals that OA is driven by forces and torques from electrostatic ion-solvent correlations and dipolar interactions, acting at distances exceeding 5 nm. Co-alignment precedes strong attractions leading to contact. The negligible attachment barrier and unusual diffusivities in the TEM fluid cell enable OA dominance.

Lili Liu, Elias Nakouzi, Maria L. Sushko, Gregory K. Schenter, Christopher J. Mundy, Jaehun Chun, James J. De Yoreo