Abstract
Metallic nanocrystals exhibit superior properties to their bulk counterparts because of the reduced sizes, diverse morphologies, and controllable exposed crystal facets. Therefore, the fabrication of metal nanocrystals and the adjustment of their properties for different applications have attracted wide attention. One of the typical examples is the fabrication of nanocrystals encased with high-index facets, and research on their magnified catalytic activities and selections. Great accomplishment has been achieved within the field of noble metals such as Pd, Pt, Ag, and Au. However, it remains challenging in the fabrication of base metal nanocrystals such as Ni, Cu, and Co with various structures, shapes, and sizes. In this paper, the synthesis of metal nanocrystals is reviewed. An introduction is briefly given to the metal nanocrystals and the importance of synthesis, and then commonly used synthesis methods for metallic nanocrystals are summarized, followed by specific examples of metal nanocrystals including noble metals, alloys, and base metals. The synthesis of base metal nanocrystals is far from satisfactory compared to the tremendous success achieved in noble metals. Afterwards, we present a discussion on specific synthesis methods suitable for base metals, including seed-mediated growth, ligand control, oriented attachment, chemical etching, and Oswald ripening, based on the comprehensive consideration of thermodynamics, kinetics, and physical restrictions. At the end, conclusions are drawn through the prospect of the future development direction.
Highlights
Nanomaterials are materials sized from 1 to 1000 nm in at least one dimension, and usually from 1 to 100 nm
The catalytic degradation of nitrophenol was carried out, and results showed that copper nanoparticles exhibit higher catalytic activity and has the potential to take the place of noble metals as catalysts [130]
CuNi bimetallic nanocrystals of various morphologies and structures were successfully fabricated via solvothermal method.synthesis
Summary
Nanomaterials are materials sized from 1 to 1000 nm in at least one dimension, and usually from 1 to 100 nm. Metallic nanomaterials, which contain the special properties of both nanomaterials and metal materials, has made great contributions to understanding the nano-world during the development of nanotechnology [3,4] Due to their unique size and morphology, metal nanocrystals are different from conventional materials in thermal, optical, electrical, and magnetic aspects, making them the most dynamic materials in the field of research and development, and have great influence on economic and social development [5]. The electronic structures of different crystal surfaces will affect the catalytic performance for a reaction. In Li’s work mentioned above, difference in catalytic activities shown by different shape of silver nanoparticles were not caused by surface area change and the varied atom fraction of edges or corners, but instead were related to the exposed crystal surface. Our intention is to make use of the successful experiences of noble metal to promote the synthesis of base metal nanocrystals
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