Highly Self-Organized Materials: Formation Mechanism and Electrochemical Synthesis

Abstract

A class of intensively studied materials with application in areas where complex structures with precise geometry are needed (i.e. electronics), are the self-organized nanomaterials. Polymer, metallic and composite self-organized nanomaterials have been in researchers� attention the last decades. They are not only appealing scientifically, by revealing the intrinsic atomic and molecular interactions that might be difficult to detect otherwise but may also hold the key for the development of novel functional structures and devices. The different mechanisms and forces involved in the self-formation of organized nanostructures are discussed in the present manuscript. Further on, key formation fundamentals involved in the fabrication of self-organized nanostructures are described. Between the known manufacturing methods, the electrochemical synthesis is considered extremely simple and cost effective. On the other hand, it involves a wide range of synthesis parameters (e.g. voltage, electrolyte type, temperature, experiment duration, pH etc.) that may lead to the formation of ingenious structures with complex geometries at different length scales. Finally, some representative scientific investigations are mentioned together with applications of self-organized nanomaterials in different engineering and life areas.