6
Sonochemistry and Other Novel Methods
Developed for the Synthesis of Nanoparticles
Y. Mastai and A. Gedanken
Abstract
In this chapter the three synthetic methods that have been developed for the fabrication of nanomaterials in our laboratory will be described. The techniques are
sonochemistry, sonoelectrochemistry, and microwave heating. In each category a
short introduction to the technique will be presented in which an attempt will be
made to interpret why the products produced by this method yield small size particles. In addition, we will report on the various nanosized particles that have been
prepared by these methods, and other activities in these three fields related to
nanochemistry. It should be mentioned that in 1996 [1a] Suslick and coworkers
published an early review on the nanostructured materials generated by ultrasound
radiation. Suslick and Price [1b] have also reviewed the application of ultrasound to
materials science. Their review [1b] dealt with nanomaterials, but was not directed
specifically to this topic. However, the review concentrated only on the sonochemistry of transition metal carbonyls, and catalytic reactions that involve the nanoparticles resulting from their sonochemical decomposition. Grieser and Asokkumar [2] have also written a review on a similar topic. A former coworker, J. J. Zhu,
has recently submitted for publication a review article [3], entitled ‘‘Novel Methods
for Chemical Preparation of Metal Chalcogenide Nanoparticles’’ in which he reviews
the same above-mentioned three synthetic methods and their application in the
synthesis of nanosized metal chalcogenides. It is for this reason that chalcogenide
nanoparticles, their preparation and properties, will not be reviewed in this chapter. We attempt to review all the published literature related to these three synthetic
methods published before the beginning of 2003.
6.1
Sonochemistry
We are all aware of the use of ultrasound radiation in medicine, where it is being
used mostly for diagnosis. More recently, however, focused ultrasound radiation is
being used to burn cancer cells. Less is known regarding its application in chem113
Sonochemistry and Other Novel Methods
Developed for the Synthesis of Nanoparticles
Y. Mastai and A. Gedanken
Abstract
In this chapter the three synthetic methods that have been developed for the fabrication of nanomaterials in our laboratory will be described. The techniques are
sonochemistry, sonoelectrochemistry, and microwave heating. In each category a
short introduction to the technique will be presented in which an attempt will be
made to interpret why the products produced by this method yield small size particles. In addition, we will report on the various nanosized particles that have been
prepared by these methods, and other activities in these three fields related to
nanochemistry. It should be mentioned that in 1996 [1a] Suslick and coworkers
published an early review on the nanostructured materials generated by ultrasound
radiation. Suslick and Price [1b] have also reviewed the application of ultrasound to
materials science. Their review [1b] dealt with nanomaterials, but was not directed
specifically to this topic. However, the review concentrated only on the sonochemistry of transition metal carbonyls, and catalytic reactions that involve the nanoparticles resulting from their sonochemical decomposition. Grieser and Asokkumar [2] have also written a review on a similar topic. A former coworker, J. J. Zhu,
has recently submitted for publication a review article [3], entitled ‘‘Novel Methods
for Chemical Preparation of Metal Chalcogenide Nanoparticles’’ in which he reviews
the same above-mentioned three synthetic methods and their application in the
synthesis of nanosized metal chalcogenides. It is for this reason that chalcogenide
nanoparticles, their preparation and properties, will not be reviewed in this chapter. We attempt to review all the published literature related to these three synthetic
methods published before the beginning of 2003.
6.1
Sonochemistry
We are all aware of the use of ultrasound radiation in medicine, where it is being
used mostly for diagnosis. More recently, however, focused ultrasound radiation is
being used to burn cancer cells. Less is known regarding its application in chem113