Introduction to Nanomaterials: Basic Properties, Synthesis, and Characterization

Abstract Matters behave quite differently in the small world. Nanostructured materials, including ultrathin films (two-dimensional), quantum wire (one-dimensional), and nanoparticles-quantum dots (zero-dimensional), would have remarkable properties that are not normally observed in bulks of the same composition (three-dimensional). The reduction in the spatial dimension and confinement effects in a particular crystallographic direction within a structure tends to lead to modifications of physical properties of the system in that direction. We will generally summarize magnetic, optical, and electronic properties that are typically expected in low-dimensioned materials. Additionally, the most popular methods of synthesis as well as points that need attention when characterizing nanostructured materials will also be discussed in detail.