Synthesis, structure and properties of metal nanoclusters

Metal nanoclusters have physical properties differing significantly from their bulk counterparts. Metallic properties such as delocalization of electrons in bulk metals which imbue them with high electrical and thermal conductivity, light reflectivity and mechanical ductility may be wholly or partially absent in metal nanoclusters, while new properties develop. We review modern synthetic methods used to form metal nanoclusters. The focus of this critical review is solution based chemical synthesis methods which produce fully dispersed clusters. Control of cluster size and surface chemistry using inverse micelles is emphasized. Two classes of metals are discussed, transition metals such as Au and Pt, and base metals such as Co, Fe and Ni. The optical and catalytic properties of the former are discussed and the magnetic properties of the latter are given as examples of unexpected new size-dependent properties of nanoclusters. We show how classical surface science methods of characterization augmented by chemical analysis methods such as liquid chromatography can be used to provide feedback for improvements in synthetic protocols. Characterization of metal clusters by their optical, catalytic, or magnetic behavior also provides insights leading to improvements in synthetic methods. The collective physical properties of closely interacting clusters are reviewed followed by speculation on future technical applications of clusters. (125 references).     

Synthesis, optical properties, and growth mechanism of blue-emitting CdSe nanorods

Blue-emitting, cubic phase CdSe nanorods with an approximate diameter of 2.5 nm and lengths up to 12 nm have been synthesized at low temperature (100 degrees C) in a single surfactant using a single-source molecular precursor. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering measurements indicate that the nanorods are formed from self-assembly of isotropic nanoclusters. Anisotropic growth in a single surfactant appears to be favored when growth occurs below the thermal decomposition temperature of the single-source precursor.     

Nanosize Semiconductors for Photooxidation

Nanosized semiconductors (semiconductor clusters) have the potential to revolutionize the fields of photooxidation and photocatalysis through the combined effects of quantum confinement and their unique surface morphologies. Photocatalytic oxidation as applied to environmental remediation (i.e., detoxification of chemical wastes), green/sustainable chemistry, as well as alternative energy paths (i.e., splitting of H ₂ O to produce H ₂ ) has already experienced improvements in activity, efficiency, and stability through the use of semiconductor nanoclusters based on materials such as TiO ₂ , MoS ₂ , WS ₂ , MoSe ₂ , FeS ₂ , and SnO ₂ . Issues such as improved control of size and surface chemistry play an important role in the success of these semiconductor nanocatalysts. This review explores the effect of advances in the fields of nanoscience and photocatalysis for current and future applications.