Fig. 2

Cooperative assembly yields well-ordered superlattice structures. a Cryo-TEM image of TMV-AuNP structures in a sample with an excess of TMV. b Cryo-TEM image of TMV-AuNP structures in a sample with optimal stoichiometric ratio of the particles. c Conventional TEM image of TMV-AuNP structures in a sample with an excess of AuNPs. d Schematic illustration of the cooperative self-assembly process where nucleation of the assembly occurs, when two TMVs are crosslinked by one (or more) AuNP, forming a focused attractive potential leading to the formation of nanoparticle rows. e, f, Close-up of details in a, showing AuNP rows formed between two (e) and four (f) TMVs. g Close-up of a detail in b, showing a well-ordered TMV-AuNP superlattice. h SAXS data measured from samples with different particle stoichiometries (indicated in the legend). Scale bars: 200 nm in a–c. 50 nm in e–g