Nanostructured Materials

This book discusses the early stages of the development of nanostructures, including synthesis techniques, growth mechanisms, the physics and chemistry of nanostructured materials, various innovative characterization techniques, the need for functionalization and different functionalization methods as well as the various properties of nanostructured materials. It focuses on the applications of nanostructured materials, such as mechanical applications, nanoelectronics and microelectronic devices, nano-optics, nanophotonics and nano-optoelectronics, as well as piezoelectric, agriculture, biomedical and, environmental remediation applications, and anti-microbial and antibacterial properties. Further, it includes a chapter on nanomaterial research developments, highlighting work on the life-cycle analysis of nanostructured materials and toxicity aspects.

The articles in this book summarize the work presented at the mid-term workshop of the COST (European Cooperation in the Fields of Scientific and Technical Research) action on Nanostructured Materials, which was held in October 2001 in Limerick, Ireland. The collection gives an excellent overview of the state-of-the-art, topical research areas in this field, and the progress made by the coordinated research projects. The articles cover synthesis, physical properties and characterization of nanostructured materials, such as magnetic and ferroelectric nanoparticles, nanoparticles in biological systems, metallic nanoparticles, nanocomposites, particle-reinforced polymers, semiconductor nanoparticles and thin films.

This is a critical tutorial review and discussion of the science and technology of nanostructured metallic and ceramic materials. The focus is on the synthesis and processing of nanoparticles, the assembly and stability of nanostructures, characterization and properties, and applications.

This book is a sequel to the first volume of The Chemistry of Nanostructured Materials. It covers the most exciting developments in the nanostructured materials field for the past five to ten years, with a particular focus on their applications in energy conversion and energy storage. Prominent authors of recognized authority in the field contribute their expertise in the review chapters.

Nanostructured Materials: Selected Synthesis Methods, Properties and Applications presents several important recent advances in synthesis methods for nanostructured materials and processing of nano-objects into macroscopic samples, such as nanocrystalline ceramics. This book will not cover the whole spectrum of possible synthesis techniques, which would be limitless, but it presents especially interesting highlights in the domains of research of the editors. Subjects that are covered include the following: *"chimie douce" approaches for preparation of a large variety of nanostructured materials, including metals, alloys, semiconductors and oxides; *hydrothermal synthesis with water as solvent and reaction medium can be specifically adapted to nanostructured materials; *"electrospraying" as a powerful new route for the preparation of nanoparticles, especially of oxides for electroceramics; *nanoparticles processed into nanostructured ceramics, by using dynamic compaction techniques; *applications of nanostructured materials. This book complements the previous volume in this series (P. Knauth, J. Schoonman, eds., Nanocrystalline Metals and Oxides: Selected Properties and Applications, Kluwer, Boston, 2002).

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology are experiencing a rapid development in many aspects, like real-space atomic-scale imaging, atomic and molecular manipulation, nano-fabrication, etc. , which will have a profound impact not only in every field of research, but also on everyday life in the twenty-first century. The common efforts of researchers from different countries and fields of science can bring complementary expertise to solve the rising problems in order to take advantage of the nanoscale approaches in Materials Science. Nanostructured materials, i. e. materials made with atomic accuracy, show unique properties as a consequence of nanoscale size confinement, predominance of interfacial phenomena and quantum effects. Therefore, by reducing the dimensions of a structure to nanosize, many inconceivable properties will appear and may lead to different novel applications from na- electronics and nanophotonics to nanobiological systems and nanomedicine. All this requires the contribution of multidisciplinary teams of physicists, chemists, materials scientists, engineers and biologists to work together on the synthesis and processing of nanomaterials and nanostructures, und- standing the properties related to the nanoscale, the design of nano-devices as well as of new tools for the characterization of nano-structured materials. The first objective of the NATO ASI on Nanostructured Materials for Advanced Technological Applications was to assess the up-to-date achie- ments and future perspectives of application of novel nanostructured materials, focusing on the relationships material structure ? functional properties ? possible applications.

The processing and mechanical behaviour of bulk nanostructured materials are one of the most interesting new fields of research on advanced materials systems. Many nanocrystalline materials possess very high strength with still good ductility, and exhibit high values of fatigue resistance and fracture toughness. There has been continuing interest in these nanomaterials for use in structural and biomedical applications, and this has led to a large number of research programs worldwide. This book focuses on the processing techniques, microstructures, mechanical and physical properties, and applications of bulk nanostructured materials, as well as related fundamental issues. Only since recently can such bulk nanostructured materials be produced in large bulk dimensions, which opens the door to their commercial applications.

This book gives an overview of nanostructures and nanomaterials applied in the fields of energy and organic electronics. It combines the knowledge from advanced deposition and processing methods of nanomaterials such as laser-based growth and nanopatterning and state-of-the-art characterization techniques with special emphasis on the optical, electrical, morphological, surface and mechanical properties. Furthermore it contains theoretical and experimental aspects for different types of nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanotubes and thin films for organic electronics applications. The international group of authors specifically chosen for their distinguished expertise belong to the academic and industrial world in order to provide a broader perspective. The authors take an interdisciplinary approach of physics, chemistry, engineering, materials science and nanotechnology. It appeals to researchers and graduate students.