Colloidal synthesis of two-dimensional nanocrystals by the polyol route

Abstract

The field of 2D nanomaterials is ever-growing with a myriad of synthetic advancements that have been used to obtain such materials. There are top-down, as well as bottom-up, fabrication methods for obtaining 2D nanomaterials; however, synthesis of 2D nanomaterials from solution offers a simple scalable way to control size, shape, and surface. This review outlines the recent advances in colloidal polyol synthesis of 2D nanomaterials and provides perspectives on the similarities and differences in various syntheses. Various materials classes are presented and discussed, including metals, oxides, chalcogenides, and halides, that can be synthesized as 2D nanomaterials via a polyol process. Throughout the literature, polyol media is demonstrated to be versatile not only as a solvent and reducing agent for metal precursors but also as a binding and shape-directing agent for many 2D nanomaterials. Polyols also offer the ability to dissolve various surfactants and additives that can further control the morphology and composition of various nanomaterials. In this review, we outline the various 2D materials that have been realized via the solution polyol route.