Preface
Nanomaterials, characterized by at least one dimension in the nanometer range,
can be considered to constitute a bridge between single molecules and infinite bulk
systems. Besides individual nanostructures involving clusters, nanoparticles,
quantum dots, nanowires and nanotubes, collections of these nanostructures in
the form of arrays and superlattices are of vital interest to the science and technology of nanomaterials. The structure and properties of nanomaterials differ significantly from those of atoms and molecules as well as those of bulk materials. Synthesis, structure, energetics, response, dynamics and a variety of other properties
and related applications form the theme of the emerging area of nanoscience, and
there is a large chemical component in each of these aspects. Chemistry plays a
particularly important role in the synthesis and characterization of nanobuilding
units such as nanocrystals of metals, oxides and semiconductors, nanoparticles
and composites involving ceramics, nanotubes of carbon and inorganics, nanowires of various materials and polymers involving dendrimers and block copolymers. Assembling these units into arrays also involves chemistry. In addition, new
chemistry making use of these nanounits is making great progress. Electrochemistry and photochemistry using nanoparticles and nanowires, and nanocatalysis are
examples of such new chemistry. Nanoporous solids have been attracting increasing attention in the last few years. Although the area of nanoscience is young, it
seems likely that new devices and technologies will emerge in the near future. This
book is intended to bring together the various experimental aspects of nanoscience
of interest to chemists and to show how the subject works.
The book starts with a brief introduction to nanomaterials followed by chapters
dealing with the synthesis, structure and properties of various types of nanostructures. There are chapters devoted to oxomolybdates, porous silicon, polymers,
electrochemistry, photochemistry, nanoporous solids and nanocatalysis. Nanomanipulation and lithography are covered in a separate chapter. In our attempt to
make each contribution complete in itself, there is some unavoidable overlap
amongst the chapters. Some chapters cover entire areas, while others expound on a
single material or a technique. Our gratitude goes to S. Roy for his valuable support in preparing the index manuscript.
We trust that beginners, teachers and practitioners of the subject will find the
xvi
Nanomaterials, characterized by at least one dimension in the nanometer range,
can be considered to constitute a bridge between single molecules and infinite bulk
systems. Besides individual nanostructures involving clusters, nanoparticles,
quantum dots, nanowires and nanotubes, collections of these nanostructures in
the form of arrays and superlattices are of vital interest to the science and technology of nanomaterials. The structure and properties of nanomaterials differ significantly from those of atoms and molecules as well as those of bulk materials. Synthesis, structure, energetics, response, dynamics and a variety of other properties
and related applications form the theme of the emerging area of nanoscience, and
there is a large chemical component in each of these aspects. Chemistry plays a
particularly important role in the synthesis and characterization of nanobuilding
units such as nanocrystals of metals, oxides and semiconductors, nanoparticles
and composites involving ceramics, nanotubes of carbon and inorganics, nanowires of various materials and polymers involving dendrimers and block copolymers. Assembling these units into arrays also involves chemistry. In addition, new
chemistry making use of these nanounits is making great progress. Electrochemistry and photochemistry using nanoparticles and nanowires, and nanocatalysis are
examples of such new chemistry. Nanoporous solids have been attracting increasing attention in the last few years. Although the area of nanoscience is young, it
seems likely that new devices and technologies will emerge in the near future. This
book is intended to bring together the various experimental aspects of nanoscience
of interest to chemists and to show how the subject works.
The book starts with a brief introduction to nanomaterials followed by chapters
dealing with the synthesis, structure and properties of various types of nanostructures. There are chapters devoted to oxomolybdates, porous silicon, polymers,
electrochemistry, photochemistry, nanoporous solids and nanocatalysis. Nanomanipulation and lithography are covered in a separate chapter. In our attempt to
make each contribution complete in itself, there is some unavoidable overlap
amongst the chapters. Some chapters cover entire areas, while others expound on a
single material or a technique. Our gratitude goes to S. Roy for his valuable support in preparing the index manuscript.
We trust that beginners, teachers and practitioners of the subject will find the
xvi