Surface structure-controlled synthesis of nanocrystals through supersaturation dependent growth strategy

Abstract

Many physical and chemical properties of nanocrystals are closely related to their surface structures. Studies on the surface structure control of nanocrystals and related theories are hot and frontier research topics recently. In this review, we introduce the supersaturation control strategy and its application in the surface structure control of nanocrystals ranging from ionic, molecular, metallic, metal oxide, to metal-organic frameworks crystals. Deduced from thermodynamics, it can be found that the surface energy of nanocrystals is directly proportional to the supersaturation of growth units. The relationship between supersaturation and surface energy provides an important theoretical basis for the controlled synthesis of nanocrystals with specific surface structure.