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?

A literature review is presented regarding the synthesis, and physicochemical, chemical, and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid)(PLA). Poly(lactic acid) exists as a polymeric helix, with an orthorhombic unit cell. The tensile properties of PLA can vary widely, depending on whether or not it is annealed or oriented or what its degree of crystallinity is. Also discussed are the effects of processing on PLA. Crystallization and crystallization kinetics of PLA are also investigated. Solution and melt rheology of PLA is also discussed. Four different power-law equations and 14 different Mark–Houwink equations are presented for PLA. Nuclear magnetic resonance, UV–VIS, and FTIR spectroscopy of PLA are briefly discussed. Finally, research conducted on starch–PLA composites is introduced.

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A Literature Review of Poly(Lactic Acid)

23 Stereocontrol of Lactide ROP 6164 231 Isotactic Polylactides 6164 232 Syndiotactic Polylactides 6166 233 Heterotactic Polylactides 6166 3 Anionic Polymerization 6166 4 Nucleophilic Polymerization 6168 41 Mechanistic Considerations 6168 42 Catalysts 6169 421 Enzymes 6169 422 Organocatalysts 6169 43 Stereocontrol of Lactide ROP 6170 44 Depolymerization 6170 5 Cationic Polymerization 6170 6 Conclusion and Perspectives 6171 7 Acknowledgments 6173 8 References and Notes 6173

Controlled ring-opening polymerization of lactide and glycolide.

Elastomeric biomaterials for tissue engineering

Organic Carbonates as Solvents in Synthesis and Catalysis

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+

Polyisobutylene (PIB)-based polymer networks potentially useful as smart coatings for photovoltaic devices have been developed. Low molecular weight coumarin functional triarm star PIB was synthesized via a single step SN2 reaction of bromoallyl functional triarm star PIB with 4-methylumbelliferone or umbelliferone in the presence of sodium hydride. Quantitative end functionality was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. UVA (λmax = 365 nm) induced reversible photodimerization of the coumarin moieties resulted in cross-linked elastomeric films exhibiting self-healing behavior. The extent of photodimerization/photoscission was monitored by UV–vis spectroscopy. The low oxygen (1.9 × 10–16 mol m m–2 s–1 Pa–1) and moisture (46 × 10–16 mol m m–2 s–1 Pa–1) permeability of the cross-linked polymer films suggest excellent barrier properties of the cross-linked polymer films. The self-healing process was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). For this, mechan...

Photoinduced Smart, Self-Healing Polymer Sealant for Photovoltaics

Glycolysis of polyurethane foams and elastomers

Histopatological alterations and oxidative stress in liver and kidney of Leuciscus cephalus following exposure to heavy metals in the Tur River, North Western Romania.

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.

Miklós Zsuga

Papers

Silver nanoparticles by PAMAM-assisted photochemical reduction of Ag+

Photoinduced Smart, Self-Healing Polymer Sealant for Photovoltaics

Glycolysis of polyurethane foams and elastomers

Histopatological alterations and oxidative stress in liver and kidney of Leuciscus cephalus following exposure to heavy metals in the Tur River, North Western Romania.

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