(Keynote) Nanocrystal Design and Self-Assembly in Service of Heterogeneous Catalysis

Abstract

Colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) with tunable electronic, optical, properties and rich opportunities for surface functionalization are impacting many areas of heterogeneous catalysis. In this talk, I will briefly outline the current state of the art in synthesis, purification, and integration of single-phase NCs and core-shell (heterostructures) and heterodimer nanocrystals (Janus) NCs emphasizing the design of semiconductor building blocks with tunable shapes (spheres, roads, cubes, discs, octahedral in combination with transition metal NCs. Complimentary NC sizes and shapes will be used to create binary, ternary NC superlattices providing a scalable route to the production of multi-functional catalytic films. The modular assembly of these NCs allows the desirable features of the underlying quantum phenomena to be retained and enhanced even as the interactions between the NCs allow new photocatalytic applications and enhanced electrocatalytic behavior to emerge. Synergies in the electronic and optical coupling between NCs will be emphasized. The programing of metal and metal oxide NC architectures using dendron based surface ligands will be explored as a route to create new organic/inorganic hybrid materials that preserve accessibility for small reactants to active NC surface sites while the chemical affinity if the organic pocket in which the NC sits is modified.