Nanoparticles-chemistry, new synthetic approaches, gas phase clustering and novel applications

In this paper, an overview of the synthesis, chemistry and applications of nanosystems carried out in our laboratory is presented. The discussion is divided into four sections, namely (a) chemistry of nanoparticles, (b) development of new synthetic approaches, (c) gas phase clusters and (d) device structures and applications. In ‘chemistry of nanoparticles’ we describe a novel reaction between nanoparticles of Ag and Au with halocarbons. The reactions lead to the formation of various carbonaceous materials and metal halides. In ‘development of new synthetic approaches’ our one-pot methodologies for the synthesis of core-shell nanosystems of Au, Ag and Cu protected with TiO₂ and ZrO₂ as well as various polymers are discussed. Some results on the interaction of nanoparticles with biomolecules are also detailed in this section. The third section covers the formation of gas phase aggregates/clusters of thiol-protected sub-nanoparticles. Laser desorption of H₂MoO₄, H2WO₄, MoS₂, and WS₂ giving novel clusters is discussed. The fourth section deals with the development of simple devices and technologies using nanomaterials described above.