New developments in nanomaterials

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Abstract

Guest editor C. N. R. Rao gives an overview of the first special issue of 2004 in Journal of Materials Chemistry on New Developments in Nanomaterials.

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Nanoscience and nanotechnology pertain to the synthesis, characterization, exploration, and utilization of nanostructured materials, which are characterized by at least one dimension in the nanometer range. Nanostructured objects constitute a bridge between single molecules and bulk systems. Individual nanostructures involve clusters, quantum dots, nanoparticles, nanowires, and nanotubes, while collections of nanostructures involve arrays, assemblies, and superlattices. The chemical and physical properties of nanomaterials can significantly differ from those of the atomic molecular and the bulk materials of the same composition. The uniqueness of the chemistry, structure, response and dynamics of the nanostructures constitutes the essential motivation for the study of this class of materials. Thus, small nanostructures show quantum effects. Suitable control of the properties and response of nanostructures can lead to new devices and technologies.

Experimental research areas in nanoscience include: (i) quantum structures, that is, nanocrystals of metals and semiconductors, nanowires, nanotubes and nanobiological systems, and (ii) assemblies of nanostructures (e.g., nanoparticles and nanowires) and the use of biological systems such as DNA as molecular nanowires, or as templates for metallic or semiconducting nanostructures. An important aspect of nanoscience is characterization and nanomanipulation. A variety of techniques, particularly scanning probe microscopies, are being used routinely in many laboratories today.

The subject of nanoscience and technology has not only raised great interest in the scientific community, but also great expectations. This emerging area of vital importance has a major chemical component. In fact, much of nanoscience can be done only by employing chemistry. Thus, synthesis of nanostructures as well as their assembly involves clever chemistry. Nanomaterials are finding applications in biology and chemical technology. It was therefore considered most appropriate to bring out a special issue on nanomaterials in this journal, which has brought out excellent special issues in the past on topics such as molecular conductors and liquid crystals (these can be found via the Special issues link from the journal homepage, www.rsc.org/materials). I trust that this special issue will be found interesting and useful as well.

In this special issue, we have an excellent collection of articles on nanomaterials authored by experts. There are around 15 articles dealing with the synthesis and characterization of nanocrystals of metals, semiconductors and metal oxides. Nanowires and nanotubes form the subject matter of 14 articles. There are a few articles related to the self-assembly of nano objects. Besides eight articles on the applications of nanomaterials in biology, molecular electronics, lithography, fuel cells, solar cells and catalysis, there are some contributions dealing with other interesting aspects as well.

I thank all the authors and the Journal of Materials Chemistry staff of the Royal Society of Chemistry, specially Dr Helen Fletcher and Dr Graham McCann for their support.

Plate1 C. N. R. Rao

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