Timescale-controlled Transformations for Colloidal Multielemental Nanocrystal Design

Introduction

Colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) represent an exciting material class where surface and finite-size effects result in prominent physicochemical phenomena. Bottom-up colloidal methods have demonstrated unmatched control over NC properties by enabling their synthesis with defined sizes, shapes, compositions, elemental distributions, crystal habits, and surface chemistry.

Advancements in Nanomaterials

However, the field is moving toward sophisticated nanomaterials where complex compositions, unconventional elemental mixing patterns, and precisely engineered lattice defects offer advanced optical and catalytic functionalities, among others. Unfortunately, these NC features and their technological impact remain largely unexplored due to the high energy barriers and out-of-equilibrium conditions often associated with the required synthesis process.

Project Vision

With Time4Nano, I envision establishing a novel bottom-up colloidal methodology, timescale-controlled NC transformations (TNT), where the combination of pulsed laser irradiation and wet-chemical strategies are exploited to create highly out-of-equilibrium conditions required for multielemental nanomaterial creation.

Research Objectives

To achieve this, I will interrogate the interplay between laser conditions, chemical and colloidal environment, and NC characteristics in the controlled transformation of colloidal NC:

1. Chemical composition (Objective 1)
2. Elemental distribution (Objective 2)
3. Lattice defects (Objective 3)

Expected Outcomes

If Time4Nano succeeds, it will bridge current knowledge gaps in TNT methodology, paving the way for nanoscale matter manipulation by merging laser technology and wet chemistry in an unprecedented manner.

Future Implications

This will lay a foundation for producing nanomaterials with tailored physicochemical functionalities, promising transformative advancements in areas like:

• Catalysis
• Energy storage
• Sensors
• Optoelectronics