Although about 10,000 times smaller than the head of a pin, nanoparticles are huge compared to atoms and simple molecules. Building one by means of chemical synthesis is a complex challenge, especially when specific properties are desired. This field of nanomaterials chemistry is currently the focus of immense interest and attention, and is growing year by year. With this book, the distinguished team of editors has combined the expertise of leading nanomaterials scientists to provide a recent overview of this field. They cover the whole spectrum of nanomaterials, ranging from theory, synthesis, properties, characterization to application, including such new developments as quantum dots, nanoparticles, nanoporous materials, nanowires, nanotubes, and nanostructured polymers. The result is recommended reading for everybody working in nanoscience: Newcomers to the field can acquaint themselves with this exciting subject, while specialists will find answers to all their questions as well as helpful suggestions for further research.

C. N. R. Rao obtained his Ph.D. from Purdue University, USA, and D.Sc. from Mysore University. Apart from other appointments throughout the years, C. N. R. Rao was the Director of the Indian Institute of Science (1984-94), of which he now is an Honorary Professor, and the President of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (1989-99), where he holds the Linus Pauling Research Professorship and Honorary Presidency. His main research interests are in solid state and materials chemistry, molecular structure and spectroscopy. He is a member of numerous science academies worldwide and has received many national and international honours, and published over 1200 research papers. Achim Müller studied chemistry and physics at Göttingen University and is currently Professor of Inorganic Chemsitry at Bielefeld University, bothGermany. His research interests range from problems of molecular physics, bioinorganic chemistry and metal chalcogenide compounds to popularised science. He has received many national and international recognitions. Anthony Cheetham obtained his Ph.D. in chemistry at Oxford University in 1971 and becme a faculty member in 1974. He moved to the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1991 as Professor in the Materials Department and became Director of the newly created Materlais Research Laboratory there in 1992. His research on inorganic materials has been recognised by a number of awards, including election to Fellowships of the Royal Society (1994) and the Third World Academy of Sciences (1999). He held an International Research Chair at Blaise Pascal University, Paris, (1997-99), and an International Chair Francqui in Namur (2001).

Leseprobe

Molecular Machines Nanomaterials for Optoelectronics Non-aqueous Sol-gel Processed for the Synthesis of Oxidic Nanoparticles Recent Results on Nanocrystals Peptide Nanotubes and Related Aspects Photo/Electrochemistry Recent Results on Nanowires and Nanotubes Growth of Nanoparticles Nanoscale Electronic Phase Separation in Oxides Nanoelectrodes: Batteries Molecular Electronics Dendrimers