Synthesis of organic shell-inorganic core hybrid nanoparticles by wet process and investigation of their advanced functions

Abstract

This account reviews the chemical synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles stabilized by an organic shell layer and the investigation of their specific characteristics. Consideration of design and construction of organic-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles by wet process is indispensable in order to exploit the unprecedented nature resulting from the fusion of both organic and inorganic traits. In a series of studies, two synthetic parameters were the center of focus: physical construction of the inorganic core and the chemical constituents introduced. External stimuli such as electric fields or solvent polarity can be utilized to transform the characteristics of nanoparticles when redox active or liquid crystalline molecules as an organic shell are attached to the surface of an inorganic nano-core. In another case, the catalytic activities of nanoparticles are controllable by modifying the crystal faces and the surface area of the inorganic cores in connection with shape and size. Novel nanomaterial has also been fabricated by choosing a metal coordination polymer as a core, leading to the first isolation of alkyl chain-stabilized metal coordination nano-polymers (MCNPs). The compounds are listed as Pt nano-cubes, size-selected Au nanoparticles, metal hexacyanoferrate MCNPs, and metal nanoparticles functionalized by biferrocene, anthraquinone, and triphenylene derivatives. Synthetic procedures and remarkable characteristics are demonstrated. © 2009 The Chemical Society of Japan.