Nanomaterials Chemistry: Recent Developments and New Directions

Abstract

Preface. List of Contributors. 1 Recent Developments in the Synthesis, Properties and Assemblies of Nanocrystals. (P.J. Thomas and P. O'Brien) 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 Spherical Nanocrystals. 1.2.1 Semiconductor Nanocrystals. 1.2.2 Metal Nanocrystals. 1.2.3 Nanocrystals of Metal Oxides. 1.3 Nanocrystals of Different Shapes. 1.3.1 Anisotropic Growth of Semiconductor and Oxide Nanocrystals. 1.3.2 Anisotropic Growth of Metal Nanocrystals. 1.4 Selective Growth on Nanocrystals. 1.5 Properties of Nanocrystals. 1.5.1 Electronic and Optical Properties. 1.5.2 Magnetic Properties. 1.6 Ordered Assemblies of Nanocrystals. 1.6.1 One- and Low-dimensional Arrangements. 1.6.2 Two-dimensional Arrays. 1.6.3 Three-dimensional Superlattices. 1.6.4 Colloidal Crystals. 1.7 Applications. 1.7.1 Optical and Electro-optical Devices. 1.7.2 Nanocrystal-based Optical Detection and Related Devices. 1.7.3 Nanocrystals as Fluorescent Tags. 1.7.4 Biomedical Applications of Oxide Nanoparticles. 1.7.5 Nanoelectronics and Nanoscalar Electronic Devices. 1.8 Conclusions. References. 2 Nanotubes and Nanowires: Recent Developments. (S.R.C. Vivekchand, A. Govindaraj, and C.N.R. Rao) 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Carbon Nanotubes. 2.2.1 Synthesis. 2.2.2 Purification. 2.2.3 Functionalization and Solubilization. 2.2.4 Properties and Applications. 2.2.4.1 Optical, Electrical and Other Properties. 2.2.4.2 Phase Transitions, Mechanical Properties, and Fluid Mechanics. 2.2.4.3 Energy Storage and Conversion. 2.2.4.4 Chemical Sensors. 2.2.5 Biochemical and Biomedical Aspects. 2.2.6 Nanocomposites. 2.2.7 Transistors and Devices. 2.3 Inorganic Nanotubes. 2.3.1 Synthesis. 2.3.2 Solubilization and Functionalization. 2.3.3 Properties and Applications. 2.4 Inorganic Nanowires. 2.4.1 Synthesis. 2.4.2 Self Assembly and Functionalization. 2.4.3 Coaxial Nanowires and Coatings on Nanowires. 2.4.4 Optical Properties. 2.4.5 Electrical and Magnetic Properties. 2.4.6 Some Chemical Aspects and Sensor Applications. 2.4.7 Mechanical Properties. 2.4.8 Transistors and Devices. 2.4.9 Biological Aspects. References. 3 Nonaqueous Sol-Gel Routes to Nanocrystalline Metal Oxides. (M. Niederberger and M. Antonietti) 3.1 Overview. 3.2 Introduction. 3.3 Short Introduction to Aqueous and Nonaqueous Sol-Gel Chemistry. 3.4 Nonaqueous Sol-Gel Routes to Metal Oxide Nanoparticles. 3.4.1 Surfactant-controlled Synthesis of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles. 3.5 Solvent-controlled Synthesis of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles. 3.5.1 Introduction. 3.5.2 Reaction of Metal Halides with Alcohols. 3.5.3 Reaction of Metal Alkoxides with Alcohols. 3.5.4 Reaction of Metal Alkoxides with Ketones and Aldehydes. 3.5.5 Reaction of Metal Acetylacetonates with Various Organic Solvents. 3.6 Selected Reaction Mechanisms. 3.7 Summary and Outlook. References. 4 Growth of Nanocrystals in Solution. (R. Viswanatha and D.D. Sarma) 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Theoretical Aspects. 4.2.1 Theory of Nucleation. 4.2.2 Mechanism of Growth. 4.2.2.1 Diffusion Limited Growth: Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner (LSW) Theory and Post-LSW Theory. 4.2.2.2 Reaction-limited Growth. 4.2.2.3 Mixed Diffusion-Reaction Control. 4.3 Experimental Investigations. 4.3.1 Au Nanocrystals. 4.3.2 ZnO Nanocrystals. 4.3.3 Effect of Capping Agents on Growth Kinetics. 4.3.3.1 Effect of Oleic Acid on the Growth of CdSe Nanocrystals. 4.3.3.2 PVP as a Capping Agent in the Growth of ZnO Nanocrystals. 4.3.3.3 Effect of Adsorption of Thiols on ZnO Growth Kinetics. 4.4 Concluding Remarks. References. 5 Peptide Nanomaterials: Self-assembling Peptides as Building Blocks for Novel Materials. (M. Reches and E. Gazit) 5.1 Overview. 5.2 Introduction. 5.3 Cyclic Peptide-based Nanostructures. 5.4 Linear Peptide-based Nanostructures. 5.5 Amyloid Fibrils as Bio-inspired Material: The Use of Natural Amyloid and Peptide Fragments. 5.6 From Amyloid Structures to Peptide Nanostructures. 5.7 Bioinspired Peptide-based Composite Nanomaterials. 5.8 Prospects. References. 6 Surface Plasmon Resonances in Nanostructured Materials. (K.G. Thomas) 6.1 Introduction to Surface Plasmons. 6.1.1 Propagating Surface Plasmons.