Cluster-Assembled Materials

Abstract

Cluster-assembled materials offer the ability to tune component properties, lattice parameters, and thus coupling of physical properties through the careful selection and assembly of building blocks. Multi-atom clusters have been found to exhibit physical properties beyond those available from the standard elements in the periodic table; classification of the properties of such clusters effectively enables expansion of the periodic table to a third dimension. Using clusters as superatomic building blocks for hierarchically assembled materials allows these properties to be incorporated into designer materials with tailored properties. Cluster-assembled materials are currently being explored and methods developed to control their design and function. Here, we discuss examples of building block syntheses, assembly strategies, and property control achieved to date.

Atomic Cluster Generation with an Atmospheric Pressure Spark Discharge Generator

“…The valence electrons form electronic shells just like atoms, that led to the introduction of the term "superatoms" when referring to atomic clusters that exhibit similar properties with those of other elements of the periodic table (Khanna and Jena 1995;Jena 2013). Cluster assembled materials as well as catalysts (Claridge et al 2009) tailored to specific applications clearly appear possible.…”

Hierarchically nanostructured hydroxyapatite: hydrothermal synthesis, morphology control, growth mechanism, and biological activity

“…[6][7][8] The self-assembly of building blocks such as nanoparticles, nanorods, nanobelts, and complex nanocrystals with well defined m orphology, structure, size, and size distribution is considered a "bottom-up" approach. [9][10][11] To date, a variety of hierarchical nanostructures of noble metals, 12 metal sulfides, 13,14 metal oxides, [15][16][17][18] metal hydroxides, 19 metal carbonates, 20 and metal silicates 21 have been synthesized via self-assembly. Hydroxyapatite [HA, Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 ] is a typical biomineral that is abundant in organisms.…”

A novel amperometric catechol biosensor based on α-Fe2O3 nanocrystals-modified carbon paste electrode

“…TEM image was obtained for the NCs and was seen as aggregated into small cluster-like structures, which could be due to the accumulation of NCs synthesized devoid of capping ligands. Such accumulation is known (Claridge et al 2009, Xuan et al 2009) and occurs due to charges on NC surfaces which cause to attract each other. From the aggregated TEM image, the particle size could be approximately determined and found to be in agreement with the value obtained from X-ray diffraction analysis.…”