3D Assembly of All‐Inorganic Colloidal Nanocrystals into Gels and Aerogels

Abstract

We report an efficient approach to assemble a variety of electrostatically stabilized all-inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) by their linking with appropriate ions into multibranched gel networks. These all-inorganic non-ordered 3D assemblies benefit from strong interparticle coupling, which facilitates charge transport between the NCs with diverse morphologies, compositions, sizes, and functional capping ligands. Moreover, the resulting dry gels (aerogels) are highly porous monolithic structures, which preserve the quantum confinement of their building blocks. The inorganic semiconductor aerogel made of 4.5 nm CdSe colloidal NCs capped with I(-) ions and bridged with Cd(2+) ions had a large surface area of 146 m(2) g(-1) .

Carbon Nitride Aerogels for the Photoredox Conversion of Water

“…The assembly of low-dimensional (LD) nanostructures into macroscopic aerogel frameworks are playing am ajor role in the development of advanced functional materials, [1] because it not only allows the bridging of nano-and macrodimensions, but also creates new properties due to the collective interparticle interactions. [2] In particular,i nc omparison with LD nanostructures,3 Da erogel superstructures would offer ad esirable combination of low densities,h igh inner surface areas and fast mass transport through broad interpenetrated channels to surface,f or heterogeneous applications such as the fields of energy storage and conversion. [3] Thestudy of the self-assembly among these nanoparticles and the development of the 3D aerogel networks with exciting properties have therefore gained continuous attentions.…”

Versatile Aerogels for Sensors

“…Similarly, CdTe and PbSe aerogels were also prepared through this strategy . Besides the chalcogenide nanoparticles, other chalcogenides with unique microstructure have also been used as the building block for the chalcogenide aerogels, such as CdSe with different shapes (nanoplatelets, rods, branched nanoparticles, and hyperbranched nanoparticles) . Moreover, the chalcogenide aerogel can be obtained by freeze drying the precursor followed by the pyrolysis .…”

“…[144,145] Besides the chalcogenide nanoparticles, other chalcogenides with unique microstructure have also been used as the building block for the chalcogenide aerogels, such as CdSe with different shapes (nanoplatelets, rods, branched nanoparticles, and hyperbranched nanoparticles). [146][147][148] Moreover, the chalcogenide aerogel can be obtained by freeze drying the precursor followed by the pyrolysis. [149] As the building blocks of chalcogenide aerogels usually are excellent semiconductor materials, the resultant aerogels inherit the intrinsic properties and show great potential application in electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, photovoltaics, LEDs, and sensors.…”

Moderne Anorganische Aerogele

“…[71,72] Die ursprünglichen organischen Liganden wurden dabei durch rein anorganische ersetzt. [71,72] Die ursprünglichen organischen Liganden wurden dabei durch rein anorganische ersetzt.…”

“…Eine andere neuere Entwicklung ist die Herstellung von Gelen aus vollständig anorganisch stabilisierten Nanopartikeln (Abbildung 11). [71,72] Die ursprünglichen organischen Liganden wurden dabei durch rein anorganische ersetzt. [73] Die resultierenden Strukturen sind vor allem füre lektronische Anwendungen interessant, da die Partikel nicht durch sperrige organische Liganden getrennt werden und demzufolge eine Verbesserung der Leitfähigkeit auftritt.…”