Methods and associated structures of forming microelectronic devices are described. Those methods may include forming a first layer of functionalized nanaparticles on a substrate by immersing the substrate in at least one of a solvent and a polymer matrix, wherein at least one of the solvent and the polymer matrix comprises a plurality of functionalized nanoparticles; and forming a second layer of functionalized nanoparticles on the first layer of functionalized particles, wherein there is a gradient in a property between the first layer and the second layer.