Template Synthesis of Noble Metal Nanocrystals with Unusual Crystal Structures and Their Catalytic Applications

Unconventional-Phase Crystalline Materials Constructed from Multiscale Building Blocks

Crystal phase, an intrinsic characteristic of crystalline materials, is one of the key parameters to determine their physicochemical properties. Recently, great progress has been made in the synthesis of nanomaterials with unconventional phases that are different from their thermodynamically stable bulk counterparts via various synthetic methods. A nanocrystalline material can also be viewed as an assembly of atoms with long-range order. When larger entities, such as nanoclusters, nanoparticles, and microparticles, are used as building blocks, supercrystalline materials with rich phases are obtained, some of which even have no analogues in the atomic and molecular crystals. The unconventional phases of nanocrystalline and supercrystalline materials endow them with distinctive properties as compared to their conventional counterparts. This Review highlights the state-of-the-art progress of nanocrystalline and supercrystalline materials with unconventional phases constructed from multiscale building blocks, including atoms, nanoclusters, spherical and anisotropic nanoparticles, and microparticles. Emerging strategies for engineering their crystal phases are introduced, with highlights on the governing parameters that are essential for the formation of unconventional phases. Phase-dependent properties and applications of nanocrystalline and supercrystalline materials are summarized. Finally, major challenges and opportunities in future research directions are proposed.

In vitro and in vivo osteogenesis up-regulated by two-dimensional nanosheets through a macrophage-mediated pathway

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials are attracting more and more interest in regenerative medicine due to their unique properties; however 2D biomimetic calcium mineral has not yet been developed and demonstrated application for bone tissue engineering. Here we described a novel calcium phosphate material with a 2D nanostructure that was synthesized using collagen and sodium alginate as the template. In vitro performance of the nanocrystalline material was evaluated, and we found that 2D CaP nanoparticles (NPs) enhanced the in vitro osteogenic differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) through a macrophage-mediated signal pathway, when co-cultured with RAW 264.7 cells, rather than direct NP/stem cell interaction. A 2D topology structured surface was constructed by encapsulating the CaP nanomaterials in a gelatin hydrogel, which was demonstrated to be able to mediate in vivo ossification through a macrophage polarization related pathway in a femur defect rat model, and allowed the optimal therapeutic outcome compared to normal CaP counterparts. Our current work may have enlightened a new mechanism regarding NP-induced stem cell differentiation through immunoregulation, and the 2D CaP encapsulated hydrogel scaffold may serve as a potential alternative to autograft bone for orthopedic applications.

Atomic Mechanisms of Nanocrystallization via Cluster-Clouds in Solution Studied by Liquid-Phase Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

The formation of nanocrystals is at the heart of various scientific disciplines, but the atomic mechanisms underlying the early stages of crystallization from supersaturated solutions are still rather unclear. Here, we used in situ liquid-phase scanning transmission electron microscopy to study at the atomic level the very early stages of gold nanocrystal growth, and the evolution of its crystallinity. We found that the nucleation is initiated by the formation of poorly crystalline nanoparticles. These are transformed into monocrystals via nanocrystallization governed by a complex process of multiple out-and-in exchanges of matter between a crystalline-core and a disordered-shell, referred to as the cluster-cloud. Our observations at the crystal/cluster-cloud interface during growth demonstrate that the initially formed nanocrystals expel the poorly crystallized phases as nanoclusters into the cluster-cloud, then readsorb it by two distinct pathways, namely, by (i) monomer attachments and (ii) nanocluster coalescence. This growth process eventually leads to the formation of monocrystalline nanoparticles.

Nonspherical Metal-Based Nanoarchitectures: Synthesis and Impact of Size, Shape, and Composition on Their Biological Activity

Metal-based nanoentities, apart from being indispensable research tools, have found extensive use in the industrial and biomedical arena. Because their biological impacts are governed by factors such as size, shape, and composition, such issues must be taken into account when these materials are incorporated into multi-component ensembles for clinical applications. The size and shape (rods, wires, sheets, tubes, and cages) of metallic nanostructures influence cell viability by virtue of their varied geometry and physicochemical interactions with mammalian cell membranes. The anisotropic properties of nonspherical metal-based nanoarchitectures render them exciting candidates for biomedical applications. Here, the size-, shape-, and composition-dependent properties of nonspherical metal-based nanoarchitectures are reviewed in the context of their potential applications in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, as well as, in regenerative medicine. Strategies for the synthesis of nonspherical metal-based nanoarchitectures and their cytotoxicity and immunological profiles are also comprehensively appraised.

Phase Control of Noble Monometallic and Alloy Nanomaterials by Chemical Reduction Methods

In recent years, the phase control of monometallic and alloy nanomaterials has attracted great attention because of the potential to tune the physical and chemical properties of these species. In this Review, an overview of the latest research progress in phase-controlled monometallic and alloy nanomaterials is first given. Then, the phase-controlled synthesis using a chemical reduction method are discussed, and the formation mechanisms of these nanomaterials are specifically highlighted. Lastly, the challenges and future perspectives in this new research field are discussed.

Fabrication of Mesoporous PtO-ZnO Nanocomposites with Promoted Photocatalytic Performance for Degradation of Tetracycline

Herein, we report a simple incorporation of PtO NPs at diverse percentages (0.2-0.8 wt %) onto a highly crystalline and mesoporous ZnO matrix by the wet-impregnation approach for degradation of tetracycline (TC) upon visible light exposure. These well-dispersed and small-sized PtO NPs provide the mesoporous PtO-ZnO nanocomposites with outstanding photocatalytic performance for complete TC degradation. The optimized 0.6% PtO-ZnO photocatalyst exhibits excellent TC degradation, and its degradation efficiency reached ∼99% within 120 min. The photocatalytic performance of the 0.6% PtO-ZnO nanocomposite is 20 and 10 times higher than that of pristine ZnO and commercial P-25, respectively. The photodegradation rate of TC over the 0.6% PtO-ZnO nanocomposite is 34 and 12.5 times greater than that of pristine ZnO and commercial P-25, respectively. This is because of the large surface area, unique porous structure, synergistic effect, and broad visible light absorption of the PtO-ZnO nanocomposite. Moreover, mesoporous PtO-ZnO nanocomposites showed a high stability and recyclability over five iterations. This work demonstrates the remarkable role of combining PtO and ZnO photocatalysts in providing nanocomposites with significant potential for the preservation of human health through wastewater remediation.

A Co-MOF-derived Co9S8@NS-C electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction

The exploitation of efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts has become increasingly urgent and imperative; however, it is also challenging for high-performance sustainable clean energy applications. Herein, novel Co9S8 nanoparticles embedded in a porous N,S-dual doped carbon composite (abbr. Co9S8@NS-C-900) were fabricated by the pyrolysis of a single crystal Co-MOF assisted with thiourea. Due to the synergistic benefit of combining Co9S8 nanoparticles with N,S-dual doped carbon, the composite showed efficient HER electrocatalytic activities and long-term durability in an alkaline solution. It shows a small overpotential of -86.4 mV at a current density of 10.0 mA cm-2, a small Tafel slope of 81.1 mV dec-1, and a large exchange current density (J 0) of 0.40 mA cm-2, which are comparable to those of Pt/C. More importantly, due to the protection of Co9S8 nanoparticles by the N,S-dual doped carbon shell, the Co9S8@NS-C-900 catalyst displays excellent long-term durability. There is almost no decay in HER activities after 1000 potential cycles or it retains 99.5% of the initial current after 48 h.

Strain-Stabilized Metastable Face-Centered Tetragonal Gold Overlayer for Efficient CO2 Electroreduction

Synthesis of the unconventional phase of noble metal nanocrystals may create new opportunities in exploring intriguing physicochemical properties but remains challenging. In the research field of thin film growth, the interface strain offers a general driving force to stabilize the metastable phase of epitaxial film. Herein we extend this concept to the field of noble metal nanocrystals and report the solution synthesis of metastable face-centered tetragonal Au that has not been discovered before. The successful synthesis relies on the formation of intermetallic AuCu₃@Au core-shell structure, where the interface strain stabilizes the metastable fct Au overlayer. Compared with the face-centered cubic Au counterpart, the metastable fct Au shows greatly improved catalytic activity toward CO₂ reduction to CO. The density functional theory calculations and spectroscopic studies reveal that the metastable fct Au upshifts the d-band center, which lowers the energy barrier of key intermediate COOH* formation and thus facilitates the reaction kinetics.

Physical Transformations of Noble-Metal Nanocrystals upon Thermal Activation

ConspectusThe last two decades have witnessed the successful development of noble-metal nanocrystals with well-controlled properties for a variety of applications in catalysis, plasmonics, electronics, and biomedicine. Most of these nanocrystals are kinetically controlled products greatly deviated from the equilibrium state defined by thermodynamics. When subjected to elevated temperatures, their arrangements of atoms are expected to undergo various physical transformations, inducing changes to the shape, morphology (hollow vs solid), spatial distribution of elements (segregated vs alloyed/intermetallic), internal structure (twinned vs single-crystal), and crystal phase. In order to optimize the performance of these nanocrystals in various applications, there is a pressing need to understand and improve their thermal stability.By integrating in situ heating with transmission electron microscopy or X-ray diffraction, we have investigated the physical transformations of various types of noble-metal nanocrystals in real time. We have also explored the atomistic detail responsible for a physical transformation using first-principles calculations, providing insightful guidance for the development of noble-metal nanocrystals with augmented thermal stability. Specifically, solid nanocrystals were observed to transform into pseudospherical particles favored by thermodynamics by reducing the surface area while eliminating the facets high in surface energy. For nanocrystals of relatively large in size, a single-crystal lattice was more favorable than a twinned structure. When switching to core-shell nanocrystals, the elevation in temperature caused changes to the elemental distribution in addition to shape transformation. The compositional stability of a core-shell nanocrystal was found to be strongly dependent on the shape and thus the type of facet expressed on the surface. For hollow nanocrystals such as nanocages and nanoframes, their thermal stabilities were typically inferior to the solid counterparts, albeit their unique structure and large specific surface area are highly desired in applications such as catalysis. When a metastable crystal structure was involved, phase transition was also observed at a temperature close to that responsible for shape or compositional change. We hope the principles, methodologies, and mechanistic insights presented in this Account will help the readers achieve a good understanding of the physical transformations that are expected to take place in noble-metal nanocrystals when they are subjected to thermal activation. Such an understanding may eventually lead to the development of effective methods for retarding or even preventing some of the transformations.

Construction of AuPdPt spherical nanodendrites with a multilayered structure by manipulating etching and regrowth in seeded growth

Size-tunable gold–palladium–platinum nanodendrites with a multilayered structure are successfully prepared via etching–regrowth-involved seeded growth, exhibiting superb electrochemical activity for formic acid oxidation.

Selective CO2 reduction towards a single upgraded product: a minireview on multi-elemental copper-free electrocatalysts

Electrocatalytic conversion of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide to liquid fuels or upgraded chemicals is a critical strategy to mitigate anthropogenic climate change. To this end, we urgently need high-performance CO₂ reduction catalysts.

Synthesis and Crystal-Phase Engineering of Mesoporous Palladium-Boron Alloy Nanoparticles

Rational design and synthesis of noble metal nanomaterials with desired crystal phases (atomic level) and controllable structures/morphologies (mesoscopic level) are paramount for modulating their physiochemical properties. However, it is challenging to simultaneously explore atomic crystal-phase structures and ordered mesoscopic morphologies. Here, we report a simple synergistic templating strategy for the preparation of palladium-boron (Pd-B) nanoparticles with precisely controllable crystal-phases and highly ordered mesostructures. The engineering of crystal-phase structures at atomic levels is achieved by interstitially inserting metallic B atoms into face-centered cubic mesoporous Pd (fcc-mesoPd) confined in a mesoporous silica template. With the gradual insertion of B atoms, fcc-mesoPd is transformed into fcc-mesoPd5B, hcp-mesoPd2B with randomly distributed B atoms (hcp-mesoPd2B-r), and hcp-mesoPd2B with an atomically ordered B sequence (hcp-mesoPd2B-o) while preserving well-defined mesostructures. This synergistic templating strategy can be extended to engineer crystal-phase structures with various mesostructures/morphologies, including nanoparticles, nanobundles, and nanorods. Moreover, we investigate the crystal-phase-dependent catalytic performance toward the reduction reaction of p-nitrophenol and find that hcp-mesoPd2B-o displays much better catalytic activity. This work thus paves a new way for the synthesis of hcp-Pd2B nanomaterials with mesoscopically ordered structure/morphology and offers new insights of fcc-to-hcp evolution mechanisms which could be applied on other noble metal-based nanomaterials for various targeted applications.

Undercoordinated Active Sites on 4H Gold Nanostructures for CO2 Reduction

Electroreduction of CO₂ is a promising approach toward artificial carbon recycling. The rate and product selectivity of this reaction are highly sensitive to the surface structures of electrocatalysts. We report here 4H Au nanostructures as advanced electrocatalysts for highly active and selective reduction of CO₂ to CO. Au nanoribbons in the pure 4H phase, Au nanorods in the hybrid 4H/fcc phase, and those in the fcc phase are comparatively studied for the electroreduction of CO₂. Both the activity and selectivity for CO production were found to exhibit the trend 4H-nanoribbons > 4H/fcc-nanorods > fcc-nanorods, with the 4H-nanoribbons achieving >90% Faradaic efficiency toward CO. Electrochemical probing and cluster expansion simulations are combined to elucidate the surface structures of these nanocrystals. The combination of crystal phase and shape control gives rise to the preferential exposure of undercoordinated sites. Further density functional theory calculations confirm the high reactivity of such undercoordinated sites.

Preserving the shape of silver nanocubes under corrosive environment by covering their edges and corners with iridium

Silver nanocubes have found use in an array of applications but their performance has been plagued by the shape instability arising from the oxidation and dissolution of Ag atoms from the edges and corners. Here we demonstrate that the shape of Ag nanocubes can be well preserved by covering their edges and corners with a corrosion-resistant metal such as Ir. In a typical process, we titrate a Na3IrCl6 solution in ethylene glycol (EG) into a suspension of Ag nanocubes in an EG solution in the presence of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) held at 110 °C. The Ir atoms derived from the reduction of Na3IrCl6 by EG and Ag are deposited onto the edges and then corners for the generation of Ag-Ir core-frame nanocubes. Remarkably, our results indicate that a small amount of Ir atoms on the edges and corners is adequate to prevent the Ag nanocubes from transforming into nanospheres when heated in a PVP/EG solution up to 110 °C. We further demonstrate that these Ag-Ir nanocubes embrace plasmonic properties comparable to those of the original Ag nanocubes, making them immediately useful in a variety of applications. This strategy for stabilizing the shape of Ag nanocubes should be extendible to Ag nanocrystals with other shapes or nanocrystals comprised of other metals.

Crystal Phase Control of Gold Nanomaterials by Wet-Chemical Synthesis

Gold (Au), a transition metal with an atomic number of 79 in the periodic table of elements, was discovered in approximately 3000 B.C. Due to the ultrahigh chemical stability and brilliant golden color, Au had long been thought to be a most inert material and was widely utilized in art, jewelry, and finance. However, it has been found that Au becomes exceptionally active as a catalyst when its size shrinks to the nanometer scale. With continuous efforts toward the exploration of catalytic applications over the past decades, Au nanomaterials show critical importance in many catalytic processes. Besides catalysis, Au nanomaterials also possess other promising applications in plasmonics, sensing, biology and medicine, due to their unique localized surface plasmon resonance, intriguing biocompatibility, and superior stability. Unfortunately, the practical applications of Au nanomaterials could be limited because of the scarce reserves and high price of Au. Therefore, it is quite essential to further explore novel physicochemical properties and functions of Au nanomaterials so as to enhance their performance in different types of applications.Recently, phase engineering of nanomaterials (PEN), which involves the rearrangement of atoms in the unit cell, has emerged as a fantastic and effective strategy to adjust the intrinsic physicochemical properties of nanomaterials. In this Account, we give an overview of the recent progress on crystal phase control of Au nanomaterials using wet-chemical synthesis. Starting from a brief introduction of the research background, we first describe the development history of wet-chemical synthesis of Au nanomaterials and especially emphasize the key research findings. Subsequently, we introduce the typical Au nanomaterials with untraditional crystal phases and heterophases that have been observed, such as 2H, 4H, body-centered phases, and crystal-phase heterostructures. Importantly, crystal phase control of Au nanomaterials by wet-chemical synthesis is systematically described. After that, we highlight the importance of crystal phase control in Au nanomaterials by demonstrating the remarkable effect of crystal phases on their physicochemical properties (e.g., electronic and optical properties) and potential applications (e.g., catalysis). Finally, after a concise summary of recent advances in this emerging research field, some personal perspectives are provided on the challenges, opportunities, and research directions in the future.

From low to high-index facets of noble metal nanocrystals: a way forward to enhance the performance of electrochemical CO2 reduction

To date, noble metal nanoparticles, mainly the gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles, are the most active and selective heterogeneous catalysts that have revealed a tendency to form CO and directly synthesize syngas as a result of the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The CO2RR activity and selectivity are influenced by a wide range of factors, such as morphology, surface structure, shape, composition, type of electrolyte used, and pH. Most of these issues have been reviewed and evaluated critically. Herein, the CO2RR activity and selectivity to CO formation on the low and high-index facets of Au, Ag, and Pt NCs were evaluated with a greater motive to provide new insights into the field. The author refers to different experimental approaches and the corresponding theoretical methods that have been employed to study the product formation activity and selectivity on low and high-index facet noble metal NCs for the CO2RR. In conclusion, some perspectives have been provided on the future research of the low and high-index facets of noble metal NCs for CO2 reduction.

Phase engineering of nanomaterials

Phase has emerged as an important structural parameter - in addition to composition, morphology, architecture, facet, size and dimensionality - that determines the properties and functionalities of nanomaterials. In particular, unconventional phases in nanomaterials that are unattainable in the bulk state can potentially endow nanomaterials with intriguing properties and innovative applications. Great progress has been made in the phase engineering of nanomaterials (PEN), including synthesis of nanomaterials with unconventional phases and phase transformation of nanomaterials. This Review provides an overview on the recent progress in PEN. We discuss various strategies used to synthesize nanomaterials with unconventional phases and induce phase transformation of nanomaterials, by taking noble metals and layered transition metal dichalcogenides as typical examples. Moreover, we also highlight recent advances in the preparation of amorphous nanomaterials, amorphous-crystalline and crystal phase-based hetero-nanostructures. We also provide personal perspectives on challenges and opportunities in this emerging field, including exploration of phase-dependent properties and applications, rational design of phase-based heterostructures and extension of the concept of phase engineering to a wider range of materials.

Revealing Facet Effects of Palladium Nanocrystals on Electrochemical Biosensing

Noble-metal nanocrystals (NCs) are functional segments of biosensing platforms, but their sensitivity and facet effects are still challenging. Conventional synthesis using surfactants to direct crystal growth unfortunately causes adsorbate-surface hindrance, which not only reduces sensing responses but also leads to misunderstanding on facet-dependence. Herein, we utilize electrochemical CO displacement to remove residual surfactants from facet-engineered Pd NCs, and further investigate the structure-activity relationship on specific facets, for example, {100} in cubes, {111} in octahedrons, and {110} in rhombic dodecahedrons. Along with the remarkably boosted response, facet dependence is obvious for H₂O₂ sensing after surface cleaning. The Pd{100} shows high sensitivity, low detection limit, and wide applicable concentration range, superior to the {110} and {111}. This can be theoretically interpreted by the befitting *OH binding on {100} and thereby the facilitated H₂O₂ reduction kinetics. The outstanding selectivity to H₂O₂ ensures the high efficiency of Pd NCs to measure intracellular H₂O₂ and recognize different types of cancer cells. Moreover, facet effects are also evidenced in glucose detection, highlighting that this work can provide guidelines to design efficient sensing platforms.

Two-Dimensional Electrocatalysts for Efficient Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are attractive catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide reaction (eCO₂ RR) by virtue of their tunable atomic structures, abundant active sites, enhanced conductivity, suitable binding affinity to carbon dioxide and/or reaction intermediates, and intrinsic scalability. Herein, recent advances in 2D catalysts for the eCO₂ RR are reviewed. Structural features and properties of 2D materials that contribute to their advanced electrocatalytic properties are summarized, and strategies for enhancing their activity and selectivity for the eCO₂ RR are reviewed. Prospects and challenges of applications of 2D catalysts for the eCO₂ RR on an industrial scale are highlighted.

Carbon supported PdNi alloy nanoparticles on SiO2 nanocages with enhanced catalytic performance

Here we present a simple approach for the fabrication of Pd–Ni alloy nanoparticles embedded in a carbon layer on raspberry-like SiO₂ hollow nanocages (SiO₂@C-PdNi).

Synthesis of PdM (M = Zn, Cd, ZnCd) Nanosheets with an Unconventional Face-Centered Tetragonal Phase as Highly Efficient Electrocatalysts for Ethanol Oxidation

Recently, crystal-phase engineering has been emerging as a promising strategy to tune the physicochemical properties of noble metal catalysts and further improve their catalytic performance. However, the synthesis of noble metal catalysts with an unconventional crystal phase as well as desired composition and morphology still remains a great challenge. Herein, a series of PdM (M = Zn, Cd, ZnCd) nanosheets (NSs) with thickness less than 5 nm have been synthesized via a facile one-pot wet-chemical method. In particular, different from the conventional face-centered cubic (fcc) phase, PdM NSs possess an unconventional face-centered tetragonal (fct) phase. As a proof-of-concept application, the fct PdZn NSs exhibit significantly enhanced mass activity and stability in ethanol oxidation reaction, compared to the pure Pd NSs and commercial Pd black catalyst.

Polymer-guided assembly of inorganic nanoparticles

The self-assembly of inorganic nanoparticles is of great importance in realizing their enormous potentials for broad applications due to the advanced collective properties of nanoparticle ensembles. Various molecular ligands (e.g., small molecules, DNAs, proteins, and polymers) have been used to assist the organization of inorganic nanoparticles into functional structures at different hierarchical levels. Among others, polymers are particularly attractive for use in nanoparticle assembly, because of the complex architectures and rich functionalities of assembled structures enabled by polymers. Polymer-guided assembly of nanoparticles has emerged as a powerful route to fabricate functional materials with desired mechanical, optical, electronic or magnetic properties for a broad range of applications such as sensing, nanomedicine, catalysis, energy storage/conversion, data storage, electronics and photonics. In this review article, we summarize recent advances in the polymer-guided self-assembly of inorganic nanoparticles in both bulk thin films and solution, with an emphasis on the role of polymers in the assembly process and functions of resulting nanostructures. Precise control over the location/arrangement, interparticle interaction, and packing of inorganic nanoparticles at various scales are highlighted.

Room-Temperature Synthesis of Hollow Polymer Microparticles with an Open Hole on the Surface and Their Application

Compared with hollow microparticles with a completely closed shell structure, hollow polymer microparticles with an open hole on their surface have attracted considerable attention because of the obvious importance of the open hole on their surface; however, the development of a facile method to synthesize such unique open-ended hollow particles has remained a great challenge. In this study, an easy-to-use method was developed to rapidly produce monodispersed hollow and pored microparticles in high reaction yield at room temperature. The key to achieving the unusually shaped polystyrene (PS) microparticles was the use of anisotropic PS seeds. When hollow and dimpled PS seeds prepared using a modified dispersion polymerization method were dispersed in a water-toluene mixture followed by solvent evaporation under ambient conditions, they transformed into hollow PS microparticles with an open hole on their surface. A plausible mechanism for the transformation of the PS microparticles during the swelling and drying processes was proposed on the basis of our results and observations. The structural features of the hollow and pored PS microparticles motivated us to use the particles as a catalyst support. By using modified heterophase polymer dispersion processing involving the addition of a Ag precursor, hollow and pored PS microparticles covered with Ag nanocrystals were obtained on the basis of the in situ reduction of metal precursor on the surface of polymer particles. The resulting Ag nanocrystals/PS hybrid microparticles exhibited enhanced catalytic activity at low concentrations of nanocrystals and could be reused several times without loss of activity when used as catalysts for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol with sodium borohydride.

Anisotropic nanomaterials for shape-dependent physicochemical and biomedical applications

This review contributes towards a systematic understanding of the mechanism of shape-dependent effects on nanoparticles (NPs) for elaborating and predicting their properties and applications based on the past two decades of research. Recently, the significance of shape-dependent physical chemistry and biomedicine has drawn ever increasing attention. While there has been a great deal of effort to utilize NPs with different morphologies in these fields, so far research studies are largely localized in particular materials, synthetic methods, or biomedical applications, and have ignored the interactional and interdependent relationships of these areas. This review is a comprehensive description of the NP shapes from theory, synthesis, property to application. We figure out the roles that shape plays in the properties of different kinds of nanomaterials together with physicochemical and biomedical applications. Through systematic elaboration of these shape-dependent impacts, better utilization of nanomaterials with diverse morphologies would be realized and definite strategies would be expected for breakthroughs in these fields. In addition, we have proposed some critical challenges and open problems that need to be addressed in nanotechnology.

Size-Dependent Phase Transformation of Noble Metal Nanomaterials

As an important aspect of crystal phase engineering, controlled crystal phase transformation of noble metal nanomaterials has emerged as an effective strategy to explore novel crystal phases of nanomaterials. In particular, it is of significant importance to observe the transformation pathway and reveal the transformation mechanism in situ. Here, the phase transformation behavior of face-centered cubic (fcc) Au nanoparticles (fcc-AuNPs), adhering to the surface of 4H nanodomains in 4H/fcc Au nanorods, referred to as 4H-AuNDs, during in situ transmission electron microscopy imaging is systematically studied. It is found that the phase transformation is dependent on the ratio of the size of the monocrystalline nanoparticle (NP) to the diameter of 4H-AuND. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation and theoretical modeling are used to explain the experimental results, giving a size-dependent phase transformation diagram which provides a general guidance to predict the phase transformation pathway between fcc and 4H Au nanomaterials. Impressively, this method is general, which is used to study the phase transformation of other metal NPs, such as Pd, Ag, and PtPdAg, adhering to 4H-AuNDs. The work opens an avenue for selective phase engineering of nanomaterials which may possess unique physicochemical properties and promising applications.

Recent Advances on Controlled Synthesis and Engineering of Hollow Alloyed Nanotubes for Electrocatalysis

The past decade has witnessed great progress in the synthesis and electrocatalytic applications of 1D hollow alloy nanotubes with controllable compositions and fine structures. Hollow nanotubes have been explored as promising electrocatalysts in the fuel cell reactions due to their well-controlled surface structure, size, porosity, and compositions. In addition, owing to the self-supporting ability of 1D structure, hollow nanotubes are capable of avoiding catalyst aggregation and carbon corrosion during the catalytic process, which are two other issues for the widely investigated carbon-supported nanoparticle catalysts. It is currently a great challenge to achieve high activity and stability at a relatively low cost to realize commercialization of these catalysts. An overview of the structural and compositional properties of 1D hollow alloy nanotubes, which provide a large number of accessible active sites, void spaces for electrolytes/reactants impregnation, and structural stability for suppressing aggregation, is presented. The latest advances on several strategies such as hard template and self-templating methods for controllable synthesis of hollow alloyed nanotubes with controllable structures and compositions are then summarized. Benefiting from the advantages of the unique properties and facile synthesis approaches, the capability of 1D hollow nanotubes is then highlighted by discussing examples of their applications in fuel-cell-related electrocatalysis. Finally, the remaining challenges and potential solutions in the field are summarized to provide some useful clues for the future development of 1D hollow alloy nanotube materials.

Location determination of metal nanoparticles relative to a metal-organic framework

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) stabilized by metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been intensively studied in recent decades, while investigations on the location of guest metal NPs relative to host MOF particles remain challenging and very rare. In this work, we have developed several characterization techniques, including high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) tomography, hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe NMR spectroscopy and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS), which are able to determine the specific location of metal NPs relative to the MOF particle. The fine PdCu NPs confined inside MIL-101 exhibit excellent catalytic activity, absolute selectivity and satisfied recyclability in the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol in pure water. As far as we know, the determination for the location of metal NPs relative to MOF particles and pore structure information of metal NPs/MOF composites by ¹²⁹Xe NMR and PAS techniques has not yet been reported.

While metal nanoparticles (NPs) stabilized by metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been intensively studied, the determination of the location of guest metal NPs relative to host MOF particles remains challenging. Here the authors develop several techniques to determine the specific location of metal NPs relative to the MOF particles.

Unusual 4H-phase twinned noble metal nanokites

Twinning commonly exists in noble metals. In recent years, it has attracted increasing interest as it is powerful to tune the physicochemical properties of metallic nanomaterials. To the best of our knowledge, all the reported twinned noble metal structures exclusively possess the close-packed {111} twinning plane. Here, we report the discovery of non-close-packed twinning planes in our synthesized Au nanokites. By using the bent Au nanoribbons with unique 4H/face-centered cubic)/4H crystal-phase heterostructures as templates, Au nanokites with unusual twinned 4H-phase structures have been synthesized, which possess the non-close-packed {10\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\bar 1$$\end{document}1¯2} or {10\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\bar 1$$\end{document}1¯6} twinning plane. By using the Au nanokites as templates, twinned 4H-phase Au@Ag and Au@PdAg core-shell nanostructures have been synthesized. The discovery of 4H-phase twinned noble metal nanostructures may pave a way for the preparation of metal nanomaterials with unique twinned structures for various promising applications.

Twinning is a powerful approach to engineering the physicochemical properties of metallic nanomaterials. Here, the authors discover unusual non-close-packed twinning planes in 4H-phase gold nanokites and show that they can be used as templates to grow 4H-phase twinned nanostructures of other noble metals.

Ruthenium Nanoframes in the Face-Centered Cubic Phase: Facile Synthesis and Their Enhanced Catalytic Performance

Owing to their highly open structure and a large number of low-coordination sites on the surface, noble-metal nanoframes are intriguing for catalytic applications. Here, we demonstrate the rational synthesis of Ru cuboctahedral nanoframes with enhanced catalytic performance toward hydrazine decomposition. The synthesis starts from Pd nanocubes, which quickly undergo truncation at the corners as a consequence of oxidative etching caused by Br^- ions. Afterward, the galvanic replacement reaction between Pd and Ru(III) ions dominates, leading to the selective deposition of Ru atoms on the corners and edges and thereby the fabrication of Pd@Ru core-frame cuboctahedra. Significantly, the deposited Ru atoms are crystallized in a face-centered cubic (fcc) phase instead of the hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure typical of bulk Ru. Upon the removal of Pd remaining in the core via chemical etching, we obtain Ru cuboctahedral nanoframes. By varying the amount of the Ru(III) precursor, the ridge thickness of the nanoframes can be tuned from a few atomic layers up to 10. Both the frame structure and fcc crystal phase of the Ru cuboctahedral nanoframes can be well preserved up to 300 °C. When compared with hcp-Ru nanoparticles, the fcc-Ru nanoframes displayed substantial enhancement in terms of H₂ selectivity toward hydrazine decomposition. This work offers the opportunity to engineer both the morphology and crystal phase of Ru nanocrystals for catalytic applications.

Morphology evolution of fcc Ru nanoparticles under hydrogen atmosphere

Tuning the morphology and structural evolution of metal nanoparticles to expose specific crystal facets in a certain reaction atmosphere is conducive to designing catalysts with a high catalytic activity. Herein, coverage dependent hydrogen adsorption on seven fcc Ru surfaces was investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The morphology evolution of the fcc Ru nanoparticles under the reactive environment was further illustrated using the multiscale structure reconstruction (MSR) model, which combines the DFT results with the Fowler-Guggenheim (F-G) adsorption isotherm and the Wulff construction. At constant pressure, the shape of a fcc Ru nanoparticle changes from a rhombic dodecahedron to a truncated octahedron with an increase of the temperature. More importantly, the desired Ru morphology, with abundant open facets, was predicted to occur at a high temperature and low pressure. Our results provide an insightful understanding of the reshaping of Ru nanoparticles during real reactions, which is crucial for its rational design for use as a nanocatalyst.

Ru Octahedral Nanocrystals with a Face-Centered Cubic Structure, {111} Facets, Thermal Stability up to 400 °C, and Enhanced Catalytic Activity

Ruthenium nanocrystals with both a face-centered cubic ( fcc) structure and well-controlled facets are attractive catalytic materials for various reactions. Here we report a simple method for the synthesis of Ru octahedral nanocrystals with an fcc structure and an edge length of 9 nm. The success of this synthesis relies on the use of 4.5 nm Rh cubes as seeds to facilitate the heterogeneous nucleation and overgrowth of Ru atoms. We choose Rh because it can resist oxidative etching under the harsh conditions for Ru overgrowth, it can be readily prepared as nanocubes with edge lengths less than 5 nm, and its atoms have a size close to that of Ru atoms. During the seed-mediated growth, the atomic packing of Ru overlayers follows an fcc lattice, in contrast to the conventional hexagonal close-packed ( hcp) lattice associated with bulk Ru. The final product takes an octahedral shape, with the surface enclosed by {111} facets. Our in situ measurements suggest that both the octahedral shape and the fcc crystal structure can be well preserved up to 400 °C, which is more than 100 °C higher than what was reported for Ru octahedral nanocages. When utilized as catalysts, the Ru octahedral nanocrystals exhibited 4.4-fold enhancement in terms of specific activity toward oxygen evolution relative to hcp-Ru nanoparticles. We also demonstrate that Ru{111} facets are more active than Ru{100} facets in catalyzing the oxygen evolution reaction. Altogether, this work offers an effective method for the synthesis of Ru nanocrystals with an fcc structure and well-defined {111} facets, as well as enhanced thermal stability and catalytic activity. We believe these nanocrystals will find use in various catalytic applications.

Revealing the Cluster-Cloud and Its Role in Nanocrystallization

Elucidating the early stages of crystallization from supersaturated solutions is of critical importance, but remains a great challenge. An in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy study reveals an intermediate state of condensed atomic clusters during Pd and Au crystallizations, which is named a "cluster-cloud." It is found that nucleation is initiated by the collapse of a cluster-cloud, first forming a nanoparticle. The subsequent particle maturation proceeds via multiple out-and-in relaxations of the cluster-cloud to improve crystallinity: from a poorly crystallized phase, the particle evolves into a well-defined single-crystal phase. Both experimental investigations and atomistic simulations suggest that the cluster-cloud-mediated nanocrystallization involves an order-disorder phase separation and reconstruction, which is energetically favored compared to local rearrangements within the particle. This finding grants new insights into nanocrystallization mechanisms, and provides useful information for the improvement of synthesis pathways of nanocrystals.

A Metastable Crystalline Phase in Two-Dimensional Metallic Oxide Nanoplates

A simple method was adopted in which ultrathin cerium oxide nanoplates (<1.4 nm) were synthesized to increase the surface atomic content, allowing transformation from a face-centered cubic (fcc) phase to a body-centered tetragonal (bct) phase. Three types of cerium oxide nanoparticles of different thicknesses (1.2 nm ultrathin nanoplates, 2.2 nm nanoplates, and 5.4 nm nanocubes) were examined using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The metastable bct phase was observed only in ultrathin nanoplates. Thermodynamic energy analysis confirmed that the surface energy of the ultrathin nanoplates is the cause of the remarkable stabilization of the metastable bct phase. The mechanism of surface energy regulation can be expanded to other metallic oxides, thus providing a new means for manipulating and stabilizing novel materials under ambient conditions that otherwise would not be recovered.

High-Performance Synthesis of Phosphorus-Doped Graphene Materials and Stabilization of Phosphoric Micro- and Nanodroplets

A thermally induced cascade process leading to the formation of stable micro- and nanometer-size phosphoric droplets was developed starting from a molecular precursor. Microwave-induced pyrolysis of 1,2,3,4,5-pentaphenylphosphole oxide proceeded through a series of subsequent transformations involving formation of phosphorus-doped graphene oxide layers, seeding of carbon surface with phosphorus centers, and assembling of stable droplets. A complex nanostructured organization of the material was established in a remarkably short time of 3 min, and the process was performed in a thermally induced manner using microwave irradiation. High stability of the liquid phosphoric structures on the surface of doped graphene oxide over a few-month period was demonstrated, as well as under challenging conditions in organic solvents (chloroform, methylene chloride, or toluene media) and even under sonication. Detailed examination of this material by electron microscopy and a number of analytical methods showed its unique organization at the nanoscale, whereas computational modeling revealed unusually strong binding of phosphorus oxide P₄O₁₀ to the graphene surface. The study demonstrates a fascinating opportunity to access a complex nanostructured multicomponent material from a single and easily available molecular precursor.