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02/26/2007 -
Nanoparticle Assemblies and Superstructures (2006)
edited by Nicholas A. Kotov
ISBN 0-8247-2524-7. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 2006. Hardcover. 626 pages. $199.95.
| REVIEWED BY: | Srivatsan Sathyamurthy, University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory
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Novel mesoscopic phenomenon is observed in the nanoscale which is found neither in bulk nor in the molecular scale such as electronic and optical properties of metals and semiconductors. Research in structure and organization on the nanoscale unites the frontiers of materials, chemistry, physics, and engineering. There is ample evidence in the literature showing that it is possible to synthesize nanocrystals in a variety of shapes and sizes with a great degree of process control. Building macroscopic solids by assembly of these nanocrystals into two- or three-dimensional periodic structures is an exciting area of research in nanoscience. These new classes of materials have interesting electronic, optical, optoelectronic, and magnetic properties.
The book Nanoparticle Assemblies and Superstructures, edited by Nicholas A. Kotov attempts to answer some of the fundamental questions regarding the need for such an organization, the methods and driving force for the organization and the properties of such organized nanoparticle assemblies.
The book is a collection of review articles written by the experts in the field in the topics of current interest in this research area in the form of 23 chapters divided into 6 sections. The first part of the book provides a useful overview of the current status of nanoscale superstructures. The first of the two chapters in this section, co-authored by the editor, deals with prototype electronic devices using organized nanoparticle (or nanowire) assemblies, the methods involved, and their potential applications. This chapter is perfectly situated (at the beginning of the book) and is a great starting point for anyone trying to begin research in this exciting area. The second part of the book discusses the use of various characterization tools to study the electronic and optical properties of individual nanoparticles and their assemblies. The remaining parts of the book discuss various methods of assembly of nanoparticles into organized superstructures ranging from biological methods (bio-functionalization and biomimetics) to colloidal self-assembly.
This book is written with great clarity and offers a convenient way to access the vast literature in the area of assembly of nanocrystals through a single source. It is organized in a very logical fashion with an easy flow from one concept to the next. It is amply illustrated with various figures (mostly reproduced from the original journal articles) to clearly underline the fascinating prospects of this area of research. This book is ideal for researchers contemplating potential entry into this area, graduate students in science and engineering, and anyone else working in this area. It provides a great starting point to get a fundamental understanding in this area.
However, this book can only act as a guide to direct interested readers to appropriate articles in the literature. Therefore, it cannot be used as a single source of fundamental information in the area of nanocrystal assembly, and thus cannot serve as a textbook for an undergraduate level course. To get the basic understanding necessary, the readers have to use this book in conjunction with the corresponding cited literature, and thus could potentially serve as a primary text for an advanced graduate level course.
For more on Nanoparticle Assemblies and Superstructures, visit the CRC Press web site. |
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