Reduction rate as a quantitative knob for achieving deterministic synthesis of colloidal metal nanocrystals

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Tung-Han Yang, Emory University; Kyle D. Gilroy, Emory University; Younan Xia, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-01-01
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2017
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c7sc02833d
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Chemical Science
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 10
• Start Page: 6730
• End Page: 6749
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported in part by NSF (DMR, 1215034 and 1506018) and startup funds from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
• Keywords: Biomedical Engineering; Colloidal metal nanocrystals; Deterministic synthesis; Reduction rate; quantitive; Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Research Categories: Chemistry, General; Chemistry, Biochemistry; Engineering, Biomedical

Abstract

Despite the incredible developments made to the synthesis of colloidal metal nanocrystals, it is still challenging to produce them in a reproducible and predictable manner. This drawback can be attributed to the fact that the protocols continue to be built upon qualitative observations and empirical laws. Because of the vast number of intricately entangled experimental parameters in a synthesis, it is almost impossible to predict and control the outcome by knowingly alternating these parameters. In this Perspective article, we discuss the recent efforts in pushing nanocrystal synthesis towards a deterministic process based upon quantitative measurements. In particular, we focus on how the reduction rate of a salt precursor can be used as a quantitative knob for predicting and controlling the outcomes of both nucleation and growth. We begin with a brief introduction to the techniques that have been used to extract the kinetic information of a synthesis and then discuss how the reduction rate is correlated with the defect structure, shape/morphology, and elemental distribution of the resultant nanocrystals. We conclude by highlighting some of the recent advances related to in situ probing of nanocrystal synthesis, with an emphasis on the real-time, quantitative aspects with regard to both nucleation and growth.