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08/14/2006 -
Nanocrystals Forming Mesoscopic Structures (2006)
by Marie-Paule Pileni, editor
ISBN 3-527-31170-X. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, Germany. 2006. Hardcover. 330 pages. $175.
Nanoparticles possess fascinating properties that are unseen in the bulk form of materials. Some specially prepared nanoparticle systems have a natural tendency to organize themselves into complex, hierarchical, and tantalizingly beautiful structures. Many of these self-assembled systems possess well-ordered features ranging from atomic to macroscopic scales. Consequently, they have great promise as the basis for new mesoscopically ordered materials and devices that could not be created in any other way. The book Nanocrystals Forming Mesoscopic Structures, compiled by M.P. Pileni, presents review chapters on the fundamental science and technology involved with these mesoscopic structures of nanoparticles, preparation, and control of the properties, with a focus on the applied aspects of two- and three-dimensional self-assembled superlattices. The subject, and hence the book, is not aimed toward a particular group of researchers, but to a diverse and inter-disciplinary audience in chemistry, biology, materials science, and related research fields.
Thirteen chapters in the book cover diverse topics on self-organization of inorganic nanocrystals, magnetic particles, metal nanostructures in solid matrices, dissipative structures and phase-segregated polymers, and collective properties due to self-organization of nanoparticles, finally exploiting these self-assembled nanostructures for biosensor applications. Though these different aspects can be fished out of the existing vast literature, one can find them all in one place in this book. Chapter 1 elaborates on the importance of interparticle forces at the microscopic level, tailoring and controlling these forces to bring about self assembly. Also reviewed are the effects of several parameters (i.e., substrate, capillary forces, solvent evaporation, nanocrystal size, etc.) and the influence of external fields on the self-assembly process. The subsequent chapters mainly focus on the self-assembly process. There are chapters about the properties of the magnetic nanoparticles’ assemblies, scanning-tunneling luminescence from metal nanoparticles, and optical biosensor by exploiting the self-assembled nanostructures. Using colloidal lithography as an alternative for the conventional lithography has been manifested and could be projected to overcome the limitations of the latter. The brief final chapter on shrinkage cracks emphasizes the need for understanding such deleterious effects and solving the problem.
Understanding processing and structure-property correlations are fundamental aspects for studies on any materials. This book has taken care of these aspects adequately. The challenges in the processing of mesoscopic structures are well represented on magnetic nanocrystal superlattices, dissipative structures (or spatiotemporal self-organization in nanocrystal systems), directed assembly in mesoporous templates and phase-segregated polymers, and mineral liquid crystals. The chapter on the influence of anisotropic nanoparticles, (e.g., nanorods, wires, and disks) on self-organization portrays the additional challenges, while the shape and size control of particles is being developed currently. The structural, phase identification, and phase transformation analysis, especially on magnetic nanocrystals by Wang et al. in Chapter 2 using high-resolution electron miscroscopy on nanoparticles, is elaborated comprehensively. The surface structure and orientation ordering of FePt self-assembled particles is eye catching. The magnetic nanocrystal self-assemblies and properties covered throughout the book is a unique feature. Perhaps an additional focus on electronic and photonic properties would have strengthened the book. Half of the 13 chapters are co-authored by the editor with experts in this field. Almost all the chapters represent the author's work and fail to include important work by others. Overall, the book is a good starting point for new researchers in this field and certainly a doorstep to a world of nano-decoration.
For more on Nanocrystals Forming Mesoscopic Structures, visit the Wiley web site. |
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