Zero→Two-Dimensional Metal Nanostructures: An Overview on Methods of Preparation, Characterization, Properties, and Applications

Abstract

Metal nanostructured materials, with many excellent and unique physical and mechanical properties compared to macroscopic bulk materials, have been widely used in the fields of electronics, bioimaging, sensing, photonics, biomimetic biology, information, and energy storage. It is worthy of noting that most of these applications require the use of nanostructured metals with specific controlled properties, which are significantly dependent on a series of physical parameters of its characteristic size, geometry, composition, and structure. Therefore, research on low-cost preparation of metal nanostructures and controlling of their characteristic sizes and geometric shapes are the keys to their development in different application fields. The preparation methods, physical and chemical properties, and application progress of metallic nanostructures are reviewed, and the methods for characterizing metal nanostructures are summarized. Finally, the future development of metallic nanostructure materials is explored.

Recent Progress on Metal Hydride and High Entropy Materials as Emerging Electrocatalysts for Energy Storage and Conversion

“…HEMs are a new class of materials that have just been invented and exhibit extraordinary properties that outperform those of conventional alloy (i.e., binary, ternary alloys) material. This concept was first introduced recently by Cantor et al and Yeh et al in 2004 [61,62] based on the composition, and HEAs/HEMs materials are defined as a single phase (alloy) multi-component system with 5 or more major metal element of which each having a near equiatomic (equimolar ratio) and each element has at least concentration between 5 and 35% content [1,63]. These materials are also known as multi-principal component alloys, in contrast to traditional alloys which have 1 principal metal element dominant.…”

“…The new and advanced materials such as high entropy materials, metal hydrides and MOFs enables the realization of renewable energy technology (i.e. Fuel cell, zinc-air batteries, green hydrogen technology, oxygen reduction) [1]. The high entropy alloy's (HEA's) unique structural and morphological characteristics, tuneable chemical composition and functional properties have attracted considerable interest in the field of renewable energy technology [1].…”

“…Fuel cell, zinc-air batteries, green hydrogen technology, oxygen reduction) [1]. The high entropy alloy's (HEA's) unique structural and morphological characteristics, tuneable chemical composition and functional properties have attracted considerable interest in the field of renewable energy technology [1]. In order to develop environmentally sustainable energy sources, innovative methods for designing catalytic nanoparticles are required [2].…”

Temperature-dependent excitonic emission characteristics of highly crystallized carbon nitride nanosheets

“…Compared with transitional inorganic luminescent materials, PCN can be easily synthesized through thermal condensation polymerization of amorphous melon structure, and thus exhibiting significant thermal and chemical stability [5][6][7]. These characteristic photoelectric properties make PCN as a prospective candidate for visible light photocatalysis utilizing solar energy and other photoelectric conversion devices [8,9]. However, the extensively investigated amorphous melon structure of PCN exhibits significant intralayer hydrogen bonding, leading to the pronounced recombination of photogenerated carriers [10,11].…”

Preparation of Micro-Size Spherical Silver Particles and Their Application in Conductive Silver Paste

“…Many methods have been developed for the preparation of silver particles, such as the direct current arc plasma method, spray thermal decomposition method, thermal decomposition method, electrolysis method, ultrasonic chemical method, precipitation conversion method, microemulsion method, mechanical ball grinding method and so on [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. The wet-chemical reduction method has become the primary method for preparing silver particles because of its advantages such as ease of operation, low cost and energy-saving [ 11 ].…”