Through both explanation and discussion, this title presents a complete review into mesocrystals, and accurately describes this relatively new study of established materials. This book also provides an introduction to other areas of crystallisation including self-assembly, classical crystallisation and colloidal crystals. Key features: Description of crystals as well as their formation processes and ways to modify them. Examines new ways towards the design of new materials and aids comprehension of the building principles of biominerals. Helps to explain many unusual observations made in the study of crystallisation. Written by the professionals in this subject ‘Mesocrystals: New Self-Assembled Structures’ outlines the future potential of this topic within a variety of disciplines including engineering science, physics and chemistry, making it a versatile and valuable text.

Since the size, shape, and microstructure of nanocrystalline materials strongly impact physical and chemical properties, the development of new synthetic routes to nanocrystals with controlled composition and morphology is a key objective of the nanomaterials community. This objective is dependent on control of the nucleation and growth mechanisms that occur during the synthetic process, which in turn requires a fundamental understanding of both classical nucleation and growth and non-classical growth processes in nanostructured materials. Recently, a novel growth process called Oriented Attachment (OA) was identified which appears to be a fundamental mechanism during the development of nanoscale materials. OA is a special case of aggregation that provides an important route by which nanocrystals grow, defects are formed, and unique—often symmetry-defying—crystal morphologies can be produced. This growth mechanism involves reversible self-assembly of primary nanocrystals followed by reorientation of the assembled nanoparticles to achieve structural accord at the particle-particle interface, the removal of adsorbates and solvent molecules, and, finally, the irreversible formation of chemical bonds to produce new single crystals, twins, and intergrowths. Crystallization and Growth of Colloidal Nanocrystals provides a current understanding of the mechanisms related to nucleation and growth for use in controlling nanocrystal morphology and physical-chemical properties, and is essential reading for any chemist or materials scientist with an interest in using nanocrystals as building blocks for larger structures. This book provides a compendium for the expert reader as well as an excellent introduction for advanced undergraduate and graduate students seeking a gateway into this dynamic area of research.

This first comprehensive overview of the modern aspects of biomineralization represents life and materials science at its best: Bioinspired pathways are the hot topics in many disciplines and this holds especially true for biomineralization. Here, the editors -- well-known members of associations and prestigious institutes -- have assembled an international team of renowned authors to provide first-hand research results. This second volume deals with biometic model systems in biomineralization, including the biomineral approach to bionics, bioinspired materials synthesis and bio-supported materials chemistry, encapsulation and the imaging of internal nanostructures of biominerals. An interdisciplinary must-have account, for biochemists, bioinorganic chemists, lecturers in chemistry and biochemistry, materials scientists, biologists, and solid state physicists.

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to a recently-developed approach to the growth mechanism of thin films and nanostructures via chemical vapour deposition (CVD). Starting from the underlying principles of the low pressure synthesis of diamond films, it is shown that diamond growth occurs not by individual atoms but by charged nanoparticles. This newly-discovered growth mechanism turns out to be general to many CVD and some physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes. This non-classical crystallization is a new paradigm of crystal growth, with active research taking place on growth in solution, especially in biomineralization processes. Established understanding of the growth of thin films and nanostructures is based around processes involving individual atoms or molecules. According to the author’s research over the last two decades, however, the generation of charged gas phase nuclei is shown to be the rule rather than the exception in the CVD process, and charged gas phase nuclei are actively involved in the growth of films or nanostructures. This new understanding is called the theory of charged nanoparticles (TCN). This book describes how the non-classical crystallization mechanism can be applied to the growth of thin films and nanostructures in gas phase synthesis. Based on the author’s graduate lecture course, the book is aimed at senior undergraduate and graduate students and researchers in the field of thin film and nanostructure growth or crystal growth. It is hoped that a new understanding of the growth processes of thin films and nanostructures will reduce trial-and-error in research and in industrial fabrication processes.

In the last decade, numerous studies have demonstrated the existence of alternative pathways to nucleation and crystallisation that oppose the classical view. Such proposed scenarios include multistage reactions proceeding via various precursor species and/or intermediate phases. The aim of this book is to review and discuss these recent advances in our understanding of the early stages of mineralisation through a series of contributions that address both experimental and theoretical studies about the formation and nature of initial precursor species (e.g., prenucleation clusters, dense liquid phases, amorphous nanoparticles, etc.) as well as their transformations leading to the stable mineral phase. Several chapters are devoted to cutting-edge analytical techniques used for investigating the above processes in situ, in real time and at conditions relevant to both natural and industrial processes. At the end of the book, the editors summarize the key questions that still need to be addressed in order to establish a complete picture of the nucleation and growth processes involved during the formation of minerals

Metal Oxide Nanoparticles A complete nanoparticle resource for chemists and industry professionals Metal oxide nanoparticles are integral to a wide range of natural and technological processes—from mineral transformation to electronics. Additionally, the fields of engineering, electronics, energy technology, and electronics all utilize metal oxide nanoparticle powders. Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: Formation, Functional Properties, and Interfaces presents readers with the most relevant synthesis and formulation approaches for using metal oxide nanoparticles as functional materials. It covers common processing routes and the assessment of physical and chemical particle properties through comprehensive and complementary characterization methods. This book will serve as an introduction to nanoparticle formulation, their interface chemistry and functional properties at the nanoscale. It will also act as an in-depth resource, sharing detailed information on advanced approaches to the physical, chemical, surface, and interface characterization of metal oxide nanoparticle powders and dispersions. Addresses the application of metal oxide nanoparticles and its economic impact Examines particle synthesis, including the principles of selected bottom-up strategies Explores nanoparticle formulation—a selection of processing and application routes Discusses the significance of particle surfaces and interfaces on structure formation, stability and functional materials properties Covers metal oxide nanoparticle characterization at different length scales With this valuable resource, academic researchers, industrial chemists, and PhD students can all gain insight into the synthesis, properties, and applications of metal oxide nanoparticles.

Crystal growth technology involves processes for the production of crystals essential for microelectronics, communication technologies, lasers and energy producing and energy saving technology. A deliberately added impurity is called an additive and in different industries these affect the process of crystal growth. Thus, understanding of interactions between additives and the crystallizing phases is important in different processes found in the lab, nature and in various industries. This book presents a generalized description of the mechanisms of action of additives during nucleation, growth and aggregation of crystals during crystallization and has received endorsement from the President of the International Organization for Crystal Growth. It is the first text devoted to the role of additives in different crystallization processes encountered in the lab, nature and in industries as diverse as pharmaceuticals, food and biofuels. A unique highlight of the book are chapters on the effect of additives on crystal growth processes, since the phenomena discussed is an issue of debate between researchers

2.6.2 Electrodes for Electrochemistry

Reviews the latest research breakthroughs and applications Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes in 1991, one-dimensional nanostructures have been at the forefront of nanotechnology research, promising to provide the building blocks for a new generation of nanoscale electronic and optoelectronic devices. With contributions from 68 leading international experts, this book reviews both the underlying principles as well as the latest discoveries and applications in the field, presenting the state of the technology. Readers will find expert coverage of all major classes of one-dimensional nanostructures, including carbon nanotubes, semiconductor nanowires, organic molecule nanostructures, polymer nanofibers, peptide nanostructures, and supramolecular nanostructures. Moreover, the book offers unique insights into the future of one-dimensional nanostructures, with expert forecasts of new research breakthroughs and applications. One-Dimensional Nanostructures collects and analyzes a wealth of key research findings and applications, with detailed coverage of: Synthesis Properties Energy applications Photonics and optoelectronics applications Sensing, plasmonics, electronics, and biosciences applications Practical case studies demonstrate how the latest applications work. Tables throughout the book summarize key information, and diagrams enable readers to grasp complex concepts and designs. References at the end of each chapter serve as a gateway to the literature in the field. With its clear explanations of the underlying principles of one-dimensional nanostructures, this book is ideal for students, researchers, and academics in chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering. Moreover, One-Dimensional Nanostructures will help readers advance their own investigations in order to develop the next generation of applications.