Nanocrystal Assemblies: Current Advances and Open Problems

Abstract

We explore the potential of nanocrystals (a term used equivalently to nanoparticles) as building blocks for nanomaterials, and the current advances and open challenges for fundamental science developments and applications. Nanocrystal assemblies are inherently multiscale, and the generation of revolutionary material properties requires a precise understanding of the relationship between structure and function, the former being determined by classical effects and the latter often by quantum effects. With an emphasis on theory and computation, we discuss challenges that hamper current assembly strategies and to what extent nanocrystal assemblies represent thermodynamic equilibrium or kinetically trapped metastable states. We also examine dynamic effects and optimization of assembly protocols. Finally, we discuss promising material functions and examples of their realization with nanocrystal assemblies.

Nonohmic Ionic Conductivity and Bulk Current Rectification in Nanoparticle Superlattices

“…Nanoparticle superlattices (NPSLs), self-assembled materials composed of periodically organized nanoparticles, are the mesoscopic analogues of ionic and covalent crystals. − Over the past decade, these materials have attracted the attention of the scientific community because of their potential applications in photonics, − plasmonics, ,, and nanoelectronics. , NPSLs also find applications in recently developed areas of research, such as chemoelectronics ,, (the field devoted to the processing of chemical stimuli by logic circuits), iontronics (devices where electric currents are controlled by ion fluxes), and nanofluidics − (which studies fluid flows at the nanoscale and nanoporous membranes).…”