Noble-metal nanocrystals with concave surfaces: synthesis and applications

Metal nanocrystals with concave surfaces are interesting for a wide variety of applications that are related to catalysis, plasmonics, and surface‐enhanced spectroscopy. This interest arises from their high‐index facets, surface cavities, and sharp corners/edges. Two major challenges are associated with this novel class of nanocrystals: 1) how to generate a concave surface with negative curvature, which is not favored by thermodynamics owing to its higher energy than the convex counterpart; and 2) how to stabilize the morphology of a nanocrystal with concave structures on the surface. Recently, a number of different procedures have been developed for the synthesis of noble‐metal nanocrystals with concave surfaces. This Review provides a brief account of these developments, with the aim of offering new insights into the growth mechanisms. We focus on methods based on two general strategies: 1) site‐specific dissolution through etching and galvanic replacement; and 2) directionally controlled overgrowth by facet‐selective capping, kinetic control, and template‐directed epitaxy. Their enhanced catalytic and electrocatalytic properties are also described.     

Recent advances of lead-free metal halide perovskite single crystals and nanocrystals: synthesis,crystal structure,optical properties,and their diverse applications

Lead halide hybrid perovskites have received massive research attention because of their unique inherent photophysical properties that driven them for potential application in the fields of photovoltaics, light-emitting devices, lasing, X-ray detector, and so on. Perovskite single crystals and nanocrystals are generally synthesized via various low-cost solution-processed techniques. The emergence of simple growth approaches of perovskite structures enable to fabricate low-cost and highly efficient devices. However, toxicity of Pb atoms and instability of perovskite structures obstruct further commercialization of these technologies. Recent efforts have been shifted to discover novel, eco-friendly, and stable lead-free metal halide perovskite (LFHP) materials and exploring their different growth processes for various device applications. This review aims to provide an up-to-date analysis of recent progress report on LFHPs and will mainly focus on their growth processes in the single crystalline and nanocrystalline forms. This review also tries to understand how the perovskite crystal structure impacts on their fundamental properties. In addition, we discuss the current progress in various field of applications and their future aspects.     

热解单源前驱体方法可控制备纳米金属硫化物

本文简要综述了本研究组近年来在利用热解单源前驱体合成方法制备纳米金属硫化物方面的相关工作．通过采用不同的反应前驱体,改变反应时间、反应温度,选择不同的表面配体分子及反应溶剂等手段实现了对纳米金属硫化物形貌、尺寸、组成和晶相的精确调控．除了对合成方法和过程进行介绍外,本文还简要讨论了具有特定形貌的金属硫化物的形成机理,并对几类典型硫化物的应用研究进行了总结．     

Investigation of polymer-protected noble metal nanoparticles by transmission electron microscopy: control of particle morphology and shape

 Noble metal nanoparticles were prepared by the in situ reduction of the respective metal salt precursors in the presence of various protective polymers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used to determine the particle shapes and morphologies. These are strongly influenced by the reduction methods and conditions chosen, but the choice of the protective polymer is equally important for controlling the particle morphologies and for the stabilization of the colloids. A whole spectrum of nanoparticle morphologies and shapes was obtained, ranging from nanoagglomerates which are nevertheless well-defined and well-stabilized to nanosized single crystals with triangular shape. Received: 2 February 1998 Accepted: 29 May 1998     

Shape control of semiconductor and metal oxide nanocrystals through nonhydrolytic colloidal routes

Inorganic nanocrystals with tailored geometries exhibit unique shape-dependent phenomena and subsequent utilization of them as building blocks for the fabrication of nanodevices is of significant interest. Herein, we review the recent developments in the shape control of colloidal nanocrystals with a focus on the scientifically and technologically important semiconductor and metal oxide nanocrystals obtained by nonhydrolytic synthetic methods. Many structurally unprecedented motifs have been discovered including polyhedrons, rods and wires, plates and prisms, and other advanced shapes such as branched rods, stars, inorganic dendrites, and dumbbells. The currently proposed shape-guiding mechanisms are presented and the important pioneering studies on the assembly of shape-controlled nanocrystals into ordered superlattices and the fabrication of prototype advanced nanodevices are discussed.     

Ultrafast dynamics in noble metal clusters: The role of internal vibrational redistribution

We present a theoretical study of the ultrafast dynamics in noble metal clusters interacting with molecular oxygen which is of fundamental importance for the understanding and design of cluster-based heterogenous nanocatalysts. We demonstrate that intrinsic dynamical properties can significantly promote the reactivity of small noble metal clusters towards O₂. This concept is illustrated by performing collision simulations between and clusters and O₂ in the framework of the ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) using density functional theory (DFT). We show that different nature and efficiency of the internal vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) during the collisions with O₂ are responsible for considerably different sticking probabilities of O₂ to silver and gold clusters, respectively. In the case of , resonant IVR between the cluster and the O₂ subunit activates the O–O bond and promotes the subsequent oxidation reaction. In contrast, in the case of fast dissipative IVR on the time scale of 1 ps leads to a higher sticking probability for O₂ but the O–O bond is very rapidly deactivated and cannot participate in further oxidation processes. These findings allow us to introduce the nature of IVR as a criterion for promoting the reactivity of noble metal clusters. Such different behaviour of silver and gold clusters colliding with O₂ originates from difference in relativistic effects which are considerably more pronounced in the case of gold clusters causing more directional rigid bonding in contrast to silver clusters with more s-metallic floppy character. Moreover, we demonstrate that breaking of O–O bond can be induced in by a selective excitation of the O–O bond with an ultrashort pulse in the infrared spectral range. This opens the perspective to control the action of nanocatalysts by employing shaped laser pulses and thus bridges the fields of femtochemistry and cluster nanocatalysis.     

Type I collagen-mediated synthesis of noble metallic nanoparticles networks and the applications in Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering and electrochemistry

In this paper, we demonstrated an effective enviromentally friendly synthesis route to prepare noble metallic (Au, Ag, Pt and Pd) nanoparticles (NPs) networks mediated by type I collagen in the absence of any seeds or surfactants. In the reactions, type I collagen served as stabilizing agent and assembly template for the synthesized metallic NPs. The hydrophobic interaction between collagen and mica interface as well as the hydrogen bonds between inter- and intra-collagen molecules play important roles in the formation of collagen-metallic NPs networks. The noble metallic NPs networks have many advantages in the applications of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and electrochemistry detection. Typically, the as-prepared Ag NPs networks reveal great Raman enhancement activity for 4-ATP, and can even be used to detect low concentration of DNA base, adenine, without any label step. Furthermore, the cyclic voltammograms showed Pt NPs networks have good electrocatalytic ability for the reduction of O₂.     

Reduction of aromatic compounds with Al powder using noble metal catalysts in water under mild reaction conditions

In water, Al powder becomes a powerful reducing agent, transforming in cyclohexyl either one or both benzene rings of aromatic compounds such as biphenyl, fluorene and 9,10-dihydroanthracene under mild reaction conditions in the presence of noble metal catalysts, such as Pd/C, Rh/C, Pt/C, or Ru/C. The reaction is carried out in a sealed tube, without the use of any organic solvent, at low temperature. Partial aromatic ring reduction was observed when using Pd/C, the reaction conditions being 24 h and 60 °C. The complete reduction process of both aromatic rings required 12 h and 80 °C with Al powder in the presence of Pt/C.     

Molecular reactivity of thiolate-protected noble metal nanoclusters: synthesis,self-assembly,and applications

Thiolate-protected noble metal (e.g., Au and Ag) nanoclusters (NCs) are ultra-small particles with a core size of less than 3 nm. Due to the strong quantum confinement effects and diverse atomic packing modes in this ultra-small size regime, noble metal NCs exhibit numerous molecule-like optical, magnetic, and electronic properties, making them an emerging family of “metallic molecules”. Based on such molecule-like structures and properties, an individual noble metal NC behaves as a molecular entity in many chemical reactions, and exhibits structurally sensitive molecular reactivity to various ions, molecules, and other metal NCs. Although this molecular reactivity determines the application of NCs in various fields such as sensors, biomedicine, and catalysis, there is still a lack of systematic summary of the molecular interaction/reaction fundamentals of noble metal NCs at the molecular and atomic levels in the current literature. Here, we discuss the latest progress in understanding and exploiting the molecular interactions/reactions of noble metal NCs in their synthesis, self-assembly and application scenarios, based on the typical M(0)@M(i)–SR core–shell structure scheme, where M and SR are the metal atom and thiolate ligand, respectively. In particular, the continuous development of synthesis and characterization techniques has enabled noble metal NCs to be produced with molecular purity and atomically precise structural resolution. Such molecular purity and atomically precise structure, coupled with the great help of theoretical calculations, have revealed the active sites in various structural hierarchies of noble metal NCs (e.g., M(0) core, M–S interface, and SR ligand) for their molecular interactions/reactions. The anatomy of such molecular interactions/reactions of noble metal NCs in synthesis, self-assembly, and applications (e.g., sensors, biomedicine, and catalysis) constitutes another center of our discussion. The basis and practicality of the molecular interactions/reactions of noble metal NCs exemplified in this Review may increase the acceptance of metal NCs in various fields.

The interactions/reactions of thiolate-protected noble metal nanoclusters with diverse ions, molecules and other metal nanoclusters have been deciphered.     

Nanoparticles and nanocrystals of a new bidentate nickel(II) complex of N-[ethyl(propan-2-yl)carbamothioyl]-4-nitrobenzamide: synthesis,characterization, and crystal structures

The nickel(II) complex of N-[ethyl(propan-2-yl)carbamothioyl]-4-nitrobenzamide has been synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry (atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry). The single-crystal X-ray structures of N-[ethyl(propan-2-yl)carbamothioyl]-4-nitrobenzamide (1) and bis[N-[ethyl(propan-2-yl)carbamothioyl]-4-nitrobenzamide]nickel(II) (2) have been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Loss of the N–H proton resonance and the N–H stretching vibration and the shift of the ν_C=O and ν_C=S stretching vibrations confirm formation of the metal complex. These studies show that the metal complex is neutral in cis-configuration. The complex has been used as a single-source precursor for the deposition of nickel sulfide nanocrystals by thermolysis. The nickel sulfide nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.     

Controlled growth and photocatalytic properties of CdS nanocrystals implanted in layered metal hydroxide matrixes

Layered double hydroxide Cd(1)(-)(x)()Al(x)()(OH)(2)(DS)(x)().3.0H(2)O (CdAlDS) and a related hydroxide salt compound Cd(2)(OH)(3)(DS).2.5H(2)O (CdDS), where DS stands for dodecyl sulfate sandwiched between two adjacent inorganic layers, have been synthesized and used as precursors for CdS nanoparticle growth. Through a gas/solid reaction, CdS nanocrystals implanted in the layer matrixes of the layered double hydroxides are grown, and the sizes of the nanocrystals vary in the range of 3-6 nm in diameter. The presence of trivalent Al cations in the layered double hydroxide can be taken advantage of to control the size of the CdS nanocrystals, and it also helps to prevent the formed nanocrystals from extraction from the solid matrixes. The nano-CdS implanted composite exhibits high photocatalytic activity for degradation of the nonbiodegradable rhodamine B under both UV and visible irradiations.     

Use of ionic liquids in the synthesis of nanocrystals and nanorods of semiconducting metal chalcogenides

We have synthesized nanoparticles of hexagonal CdS in the diameter range 3-13 nm by the reaction of cadmium acetate dihydrate with thioacetamide in imidazolium [BMIM]-based ionic liquids. We have obtained three different particle sizes of CdS by changing the anion of the ionic liquid. Addition of trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) to the reaction mixture causes greater monodispersity as well as smaller particle size, while addition of ethylenediamine produces nanorods of 7 nm average diameter. Hexagonal ZnS and cubic PbS nanoparticles with average diameters of 3 and 10 nm, respectively, have been prepared by the reaction of the metal acetates with thioacetamide in [BMIM][BF4]. Hexagonal CdSe nanoparticles with an average diameter 12 nm were obtained by the reaction of cadmium acetate dihydrate with dimethylselenourea in [BMIM][BF4]. In this case also we observe the same effect of the addition of TOPO as in the case of CdS. Addition of ethylenediamine to the reaction mixture gives rise to nanorods. ZnSe nanowires with a cubic structures, possible diameters in the range 70-100 nm by the reaction of zinc acetate dihydrate with dimethylselenourea in [BMIM][MeSO4]. The nanostructures obtained are single crystalline in all the cases. Most of the nanostructures show characteristic UV/Vis absorption and photoluminescence emission spectra. The thermodynamically most stable structures are generally produced in the synthesis carried out in ionic liquids.     

Supported noble metal nanoparticles as photo/sono-catalysts for synthesis of chemicals and degradation of pollutants

This review summarizes the utilization of supported noble metal nanoparticles (such as Au/TiO2, Au/ZrO2, Ag/AgCl) as efficient photo/sono-catalysts for the selective synthesis of chemicals and degradation of environmental pollutants. Supported noble metal nanoparticles could efficiently catalyze the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy. Under UV/visible light irradiation, important chemical transformations such as the oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds, the oxidation of thiol to disulfid...     

无机纳米晶的形貌调控及生长机理研究

形貌及尺寸规整可控的纳米晶体的合成是目前十分引人注目的纳米材料研究领域．制备合成中的形貌调控及其功能化是这些纳米材料能够得到应用的关键问题．研究者们希望在纳米晶的任一阶段均能实现控制并在期望的阶段停止,从而得到尺寸、形态、结构及组成确定的纳米晶体．本文综述了近年来无机纳米晶体的典型合成路径,深入探讨了纳米晶在成核、生长及熟化阶段的控制原理,研究了液相合成纳米材料过程中晶体结构与生长行为的相关性问题,并总结了几类具有代表性的低维、多维纳米晶体的形成规律和生长机理．探索纳米粒子的调控合成对于纳米材料的规模化生产及应用具有重要的理论价值和指导意义．     

吡咯基金属络合物的制备及其在有机合成中的应用

本文综述了近年来吡咯基金属络合物的研究进展, 详细讨论了σ~N-、σ~C-、π-型吡咯基金属络合物的制备方法, 以及各类吡咯基金属络合物在有机合成中的应用。     

Flash light synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles for electrochemical applications: silver,gold, and their alloys

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles (i.e., silver and gold) for electrochemical applications has been widely studied using mainly wet synthesis...     

Recent advances in nonmetallic atom-doped metal nanocrystals: Synthesis and catalytic applications

Metal nanocrystals have been recognized as the main catalytic materials in many fields, but insufficient activity and stability, as well as high prices, have limited their large-scale potential applications. As one of the extremely promising alternatives toward metal in boosting their catalytic performance, nonmetallic atoms-doped metal nanocrystals have recently received extensive attention because of their high efficiency, chemical and structural durability, abundant reserve, and low cost. In this review, we highlight the most recent progress in this field and provide insights into their catalytic applications. The metal-nonmetal nanocrystals prepared by doping metal nanocrystals with nonmetallic atoms are introduced and classified based on the types of nonmetallic atoms, including metal hydrides, borides, carbides, nitrides, oxides, phosphides, and chalcogenides. Besides, their applications in catalysis, especially in electrocatalysis and organic catalysis, have been summarized and discussed. Finally, the conclusions and perspectives are given for the catalysis-driven rational design of metal-nonmetal nanocrystals in this minireview.     

Phase transfer catalysis: some recent applications in organic synthesis

A survey dealing with the use of anhydrous potassium carbonate as an efficient base for promoting organic reactions under solid–liquid phase transfer catalysis (SL-PTC) conditions is reported. In particular, the generation in situ of trifluoro- and trichloroacetamidide, and reactions of these azaanions with 2-bromocarboxylic esters and epoxides, affording protected α-amino acids and β-amido alcohols, respectively, are described. The reduction of allylic nitroderivatives with CS₂ to oximes or nitriles under SL- and liquid–liquid PTC (LL-PTC) is also presented. Finally, new preparation methods and a study of the reactivity of quaternary onium fluorides, hydrogendifluorides and dihydrogentrifluorides, together with the use of dihydrogentrifluorides as hydrofluorinating agents under SL-PTC conditions, are reported.