The development of novel materials is a fundamental focal point of chemical research; and this interest is mandated by advancements in all areas of industry and technology. A good example of the synergism between scientific discovery and technological development is the electronics industry, where discoveries of new semiconducting materials resulted in the evolution from vacuum tubes to diodes and transistors, and eventually to miniature chips. The progression of this technology led to the development * To whom correspondence should be addressed. B.L.C.: (504) 2801385 (phone); (504) 280-3185 (fax); bcushing@uno.edu (e-mail). C.J.O.: (504)280-6846(phone);(504)280-3185(fax);coconnor@uno.edu (e-mail). 3893 Chem. Rev. 2004, 104, 3893−3946

http://depa.fquim.unam.mx/amyd//archivero/FidelmarLechugaSanabria_4940.pdf

Recent advances in the liquid-phase syntheses of inorganic nanoparticles.

On the Controllable Soft-Templating Approach to Mesoporous Silicates

Single-crystalline and uniform nanopolyhedra, nanorods, and nanocubes of cubic CeO2 were selectively prepared by a hydrothermal method at temperatures in the range of 100-180 degrees C under different NaOH concentrations, using Ce(NO3)3 as the cerium source. According to high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, they have different exposed crystal planes: {111} and {100} for polyhedra, {110} and {100} for rods, and {100} for cubes. During the synthesis, the formation of hexagonal Ce(OH)3 intermediate species and their transformation into CeO2 at elevated temperature, together with the base concentration, have been demonstrated as the key factors responsible for the shape evolution. Oxygen storage capacity (OSC) measurements at 400 degrees C revealed that the oxygen storage takes place both at the surface and in the bulk for the as-obtained CeO2 nanorods and nanocubes, but is restricted at the surface for the nanopolyhedra just like the bulk one, because the {100}/{110}-dominated surface structures are more reactive for CO oxidation than the {111}-dominated one. This result suggests that high OSC materials might be designed and obtained by shape-selective synthetic strategy.

Shape-selective synthesis and oxygen storage behavior of ceria nanopolyhedra, nanorods, and nanocubes.

Silver nanoparticles (NPs) have been the subjects of researchers because of their unique properties (e.g., size and shape depending optical, antimicrobial, and electrical properties). A variety of preparation techniques have been reported for the synthesis of silver NPs; notable examples include, laser ablation, gamma irradiation, electron irradiation, chemical reduction, photochemical methods, microwave processing, and biological synthetic methods. This review presents an overview of silver nanoparticle preparation by physical, chemical, and biological synthesis. The aim of this review article is, therefore, to reflect on the current state and future prospects, especially the potentials and limitations of the above mentioned techniques for industries.

/pdf/synthesis-of-silver-nanoparticles-chemical-physical-and-2arg54gdmv.pdf

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles: chemical, physical and biological methods.

Synthesis methods for nanosized hydroxyapatite with diverse structures.

This paper reports the synthesis of technologically important ferrites such as ZnFe 2 O 4 , NiFe 2 O 4 , MnFe 2 O 4 , and CoFe 2 O 4 by using novel microwave-hydrothermal processing. Nanophase ferrites with high surface areas, in the range of 72-247m 2 /g, have been synthesized in a matter of a few minutes at temperatures as low as 164°C. The rapid synthesis of nanophase ferrites via an acceleration of reaction rates under microwave-hydrothermal conditions is expected to lead to energy savings.

Microwave‐Hydrothermal Synthesis of Nanophase Ferrites

Microwave-hydrothermal processing of titanium dioxide

Palygorskite- and Halloysite-TiO2 nanocomposites: Synthesis and photocatalytic activity

Microwave-hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of barium titanate powders

While there are many techniques for the production of nanophase materials, we have been using a hydrothermal process because it is a low-temperature method that can lead to energy savings. A recent innovation is the introduction of microwaves in the hydrothermal system, and we named this process the microwave-hydrothermal (M-H) process. M-H syn- thesis is a novel processing technology for the production of a variety of nanophase ceramic oxide and metal powders under closed-system conditions. This closed-system technology not only prevents pollution at its source, but also saves energy and, thus, could substantially reduce the cost of producing nanophase powders of all kinds. With several examples, the value of this technique is reviewed here. The M-H technique leads to (a) rapid heating to temperature of treatment, which can save energy and time; (b) increased reaction kinetics by one to two orders of magnitude, which also saves time and energy; (c) formation of novel phases; and (d) selective crystallization.

/pdf/nanophase-materials-by-a-novel-microwave-hydrothermal-1nvreww93o.pdf

Hiroaki Katsuki

Papers

Microwave‐Hydrothermal Synthesis of Nanophase Ferrites

Microwave-hydrothermal processing of titanium dioxide

Palygorskite- and Halloysite-TiO2 nanocomposites: Synthesis and photocatalytic activity

Microwave-hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of barium titanate powders

Nanophase materials by a novel microwave-hydrothermal process