Nanoparticles are classified as having a minimum of one among three dimensions be within the range of 1-100 nm. The small size of nanoparticles allows them to possess unique characteristics that can not be possible on the macro-scale. Self-assembly is the spontaneous organization of smaller subunits to make larger, well-organized patterns. For nanoparticles, this spontaneous assembly may be a consequence of interactions between the particles aimed toward achieving a thermodynamic equilibrium and reducing the system’s free energy. The thermodynamics definition of self-assembly was introduced by Nicholas A. Kotov. He describes self-assembly as a process where components of the system acquire non-random spatial distribution with reference to one another and therefore the boundaries of the system. This definition allows one to account for mass and energy fluxes happening within the self-assembly processes.
