Nanotechnology refers to the creation of functional materials, devices, and systems through the control of matter on the nanometer scale, and the exploitation of novel phenomena and properties at that scale. 1 Advances in nanotechnology will have tremendous impacts on every aspect of our society. [2][3][4] The discovery and optimization of novel nanomaterials with unique properties require a time-consuming research effort. Parallel reactions and screenings are deemed to be more efficient than conventional linear operations. Combinatorial chemistry has already revolutionized drug discovery and the discovery of materials, catalysts, polymers, and pesticide. It has recently also made a significant impact on nanotechnology.Combinatorial and high-throughput approaches afford several advantages in discovery research, including decreased costs and increased efficiency. This perspective will review diverse applications of combinatorial and high-throughput approaches in nanotechnology research ( Figure 1). Combinatorial approaches applied in nanotechnology are reviewed in three aspects: First, combinatorial libraries are developed for optimization of synthesis conditions, such as combinatorial catalyst libraries developed to optimize the growth conditions of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Second, synthesis of library of nanomaterials with different chemical compositions or sizes to discover materials with desired properties, such as combinatorial thin film libraries screened for unique properties. Third, library made by surface chemistry modifications to discover materials with suitable properties for applications in certain field such as medicine and diagnostics. As important as the library synthesis methods, highthroughput screening (HTS) methods have also been developed to evaluate the targeted properties of the libraries efficiently. Significant opportunities and challenges of applying nano-combinatorial chemistry approaches are also discussed.
Combinatorial Approaches in Nanomaterial DiscoveryCombinatorial approaches employ parallel and highthroughput methods for discovery of nanomaterials with unique properties. The successful application of combinatorial approaches in nanomaterial discovery are demonstrated in three examples: catalysts for carbon nanotubes growth, thin films, and novel polymer carriers for gene delivery.
Combinatorial Catalyst Libraries for Controlling the Growth of CNTs.CNTs are grown mainly by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on substrates with transition metal catalysts. Controlling the growth of CNTs is essential for their nanoscale manipulation and their applications. 5 The growth of singlewalled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were optimized by catalyst libraries produced by tuning composition of three components: metal salts as catalysts, SiCl 4 or AlCl 3 as substrate-forming components, and triblock copolymers as "structure-directing agents". 6,7 Another similar study demonstrated that the structuring agent was not controlling the size of the catalyst particle b...