Nanocrystals are fundamental to modern science and technology. Mastery over the shape of a nanocrystal enables control of its properties and enhancement of its usefulness for a given application. Our aim is to present a comprehensive review of current research activities that center on the shape-controlled synthesis of metal nanocrystals. We begin with a brief introduction to nucleation and growth within the context of metal nanocrystal synthesis, followed by a discussion of the possible shapes that a metal nanocrystal might take under different conditions. We then focus on a variety of experimental parameters that have been explored to manipulate the nucleation and growth of metal nanocrystals in solution-phase syntheses in an effort to generate specific shapes. We then elaborate on these approaches by selecting examples in which there is already reasonable understanding for the observed shape control or at least the protocols have proven to be reproducible and controllable. Finally, we highlight a number of applications that have been enabled and/or enhanced by the shape-controlled synthesis of metal nanocrystals. We conclude this article with personal perspectives on the directions toward which future research in this field might take.

Shape‐Controlled Synthesis of Metal Nanocrystals: Simple Chemistry Meets Complex Physics?

Elastomeric biomaterials for tissue engineering

Organic Carbonates as Solvents in Synthesis and Catalysis

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using latex of jatropha curcas

Polymerizations in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The photochemical synthesis of Ag(0) nanoparticles in the presence of amino- and carboxylate-terminated PAMAM dendrimers is reported. The formation of Ag(0) nanoparticles was followed spectrophotometrically and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). According to TEM investigations Ag(0) nanoparticles with the average size of about 7 nm in diameter were produced. Based on the present investigation a possible mechanism for the Ag(0) nanoparticles formation is proposed.

Silver nanoparticles by PAMAM-assisted photochemical reduction of Ag+

The anionic ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide was initiated by dipotassium-poly-isobutylene-alcoholate telechelic polymer to yield poly(L-lactide)-block-polyisobutylene-block-poly(L-lactide) triblock copolymer, a partially biodegradable thermoplastic elastomer. The pure triblock copolymer was obtained by gradient column chromatography on silica gel. The molar mass and molar mass distribution of the block copolymer was ascertained by SEC and quantitative 1H NMR spectroscopy. It showed two glass transitions and microphase separation.

Synthesis of poly(L-lactide)-block-polyisobutylene-block-poly(L-lactide), a new biodegradable thermoplastic elastomer

Interaction between iron(II) and hydroxamic acids: oxidation of iron(II) to iron(III) by desferrioxamine B under anaerobic conditions.

The polycondensation of D,L-lactic acid upon microwave irradiation was studied. The results of polycondensation by means of microwave were compared to those obtained from conventional heating of lactic acid at 100°C, and it was found that the reaction proceeds with much higher rate upon microwave irradiation. The oligomer mixtures formed were investigated by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS). The molecular mass of the poly(lactic acid) formed under microwave irradiation was found to increase with irradiation time, and the formation of cyclic oligomers after 20 min of reaction time was also revealed.

Fast Microwave-Mediated Bulk Polycondensation of D,L-Lactic Acid

A high-performance liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric method was developed for the determination of the major bioactive flavonolignans in silymarin, a herbal remedy extracted from the milk thistle Silybum marianum. In this study, eight active components of silymarin with the same elemental composition, including silychristins A and B, silydianin, silybin A and B, isosilybin A and B and an unknown compound were completely separated. Furthermore, three additional components were detected and partly separated; presumably two silybin stereoisomers and one isosilybin stereoisomer. The collision-induced dissociation (CID) MS/MS spectra of these silymarin constituents were studied: the spectral similarity values of the component pairs were determined, and simple criteria were found for distinguishing the components.

György Deák

Papers

Silver nanoparticles by PAMAM-assisted photochemical reduction of Ag+

Synthesis of poly(L-lactide)-block-polyisobutylene-block-poly(L-lactide), a new biodegradable thermoplastic elastomer

Interaction between iron(II) and hydroxamic acids: oxidation of iron(II) to iron(III) by desferrioxamine B under anaerobic conditions.

Fast Microwave-Mediated Bulk Polycondensation of D,L-Lactic Acid

Identification of silymarin constituents: An improved HPLC-MS method