Tuning surface assembly of oleyl-capped nanoparticles in AOT microemulsion phase with optimal alkane-to-alkanol ratio

A simplified procedure for the surface assembly of oleyl-capped nanoparticles from water-in-oil microemulsions is presented. Changing the heptane-to-pentanol ratio in the oil phase resulted in different surface assemblies. Remarkably, a minor proportion of heptane in pentanol enabled the formation of filament networks, without the assistance of other additives for clustering effects. • Water-in-oil microemulsions with AOT as surfactant. • Oleyl-capped nanoparticles dispersed in the oil solvents of microemulsions. • Surface assembly by drop-casting of the microemulsion phase. • Pentanol as co-surfactant and flocculant solvent of oleyl-capped nanoparticles. • Optimal heptane-to-pentanol ratio in the oil phase for tuning surface assembly.