LAUSR

Hierarchical materials derived from self-assembly nanoparticles (NPs) are attractive, since they possess novel properties that may differ from those of individual nanoparticles or their corresponding bulk materials. Here, we developed a new method to assemble Y-doped AlN NPs into novel three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical microspheres under the action of magnetic field created by arc discharge. The 3D AlN:Y microspheres are constructed layer-by-layer from a large number of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets, which are constituted by an assembly of NPs in the scale of 10 nm. Details on the formation, structural characterization (via XRD, Raman, FESEM, HRTEM, and XPS), and optical properties of these hierarchical assemblies and their constituents are described. This work demonstrates the possibility of guide and large-scale assembly of hierarchical nanostructure systems through magnetic NPs.