The Surface Science of Nanocrystals

Overview

Journal Nat Mater

Date 2016 Jan 23

PMID 26796733

Citations 196

Authors

Michael A Boles

Daishun Ling

Taeghwan Hyeon

Dmitri V Talapin

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

All nanomaterials share a common feature of large surface-to-volume ratio, making their surfaces the dominant player in many physical and chemical processes. Surface ligands - molecules that bind to the surface - are an essential component of nanomaterial synthesis, processing and application. Understanding the structure and properties of nanoscale interfaces requires an intricate mix of concepts and techniques borrowed from surface science and coordination chemistry. Our Review elaborates these connections and discusses the bonding, electronic structure and chemical transformations at nanomaterial surfaces. We specifically focus on the role of surface ligands in tuning and rationally designing properties of functional nanomaterials. Given their importance for biomedical (imaging, diagnostics and therapeutics) and optoelectronic (light-emitting devices, transistors, solar cells) applications, we end with an assessment of application-targeted surface engineering.

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