Nanocrystal Synthesis and Catalytic Applications

Colloidal nanocrystals have emerged as versatile catalysts in energy conversion, environmental remediation and chemical synthesis. The unique properties of these nanostructures—arising from their size-dependent electronic states, high surface-to-volume ratios and tunable surface facets—enable enhanced activity and selectivity in reactions such as hydrogen evolution, oxygen reduction and small-molecule oxidation. Synthetic strategies centre on precise control of nucleation and growth pathways, utilising parameters such as reduction kinetics, ligand binding and precursor concentration to dictate nanocrystal size, morphology and composition. Seed-mediated approaches, microfluidic reactors and continuous-flow systems have advanced scalability and reproducibility, while in situ characterisation techniques now allow real-time monitoring of crystallisation processes. The incorporation of bimetallic alloys, core–shell architectures and high-index facet engineering further expands the catalytic repertoire, offering tailored sites for adsorption and activation of reactants. The global significance of this field is underscored by its contributions to sustainable energy technologies, including fuel cells, electrolyzers and photocatalytic systems. Continued integration of mechanistic insights and scalable synthesis methods promises to drive the development of nanocrystal catalysts with both superior performance and practical applicability.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have developed scalable liquid-phase synthesis of palladium concave nanocubes with high-index facets. Tuning reduction kinetics yields monodisperse nanocubes that exhibit enhanced electrocatalytic activity and stability for methanol oxidation, with scale-up to high-yield production demonstrating practical viability. Advanced characterisation using atom probe tomography has revealed the three-dimensional atomic distribution of capping ligands on palladium nanoparticles, showing how halide ions and organic cations govern facet stability and particle twinning, thereby influencing oxidation resistance and catalytic performance.

Nanocrystal Synthesis and Catalytic Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanocrystal synthesis and catalytic applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nanocrystal: A crystalline particle with dimensions in the range of 1–100 nanometres.

High-index facets: Crystal planes with high Miller indices, offering increased atomic step and kink sites that enhance catalytic activity.

Twin defects: Mirror-symmetric planar defects within a crystal that modify surface strain and electronic properties.

Seed-mediated growth: A synthesis method where pre-formed nanocrystal seeds direct subsequent deposition of atoms to control size and shape.

Ligand: A molecule adsorbed on a nanocrystal surface, stabilising specific facets and affecting particle morphology.

Reduction kinetics: The rate at which precursor ions are chemically reduced to atoms, governing nucleation and growth pathways.

References

1. Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Platinum-Based Nanocrystals and Their Electrocatalytic Applications in Fuel Cells. Nano-Micro Letters (2023).
2. Twin Proliferation and Prolongation under Kinetic Control: Pd–Au Janus Icosahedra versus Pd@Au Core–Shell Starfishes. Journal of the American Chemical Society (2023).
3. Reduction rate as a quantitative knob for achieving deterministic synthesis of colloidal metal nanocrystals. Chemical Science (2017).
4. Large-Scale Synthesis of Palladium Concave Nanocubes with High-Index Facets for Sustainable Enhanced Catalytic Performance. Scientific Reports (2015).
5. Shape-controlled continuous synthesis of metal nanostructures. Nanoscale (2016).
6. Nanoengineering a library of metallic nanostructures using a single microfluidic reactor. Nanoscale (2016).
7. Three-dimensional atomic mapping of ligands on palladium nanoparticles by atom probe tomography. Nature Communications (2021).