Role of self-assembly in construction of inorganic nanostructural materials

Understanding the evolution process and formation mechanism of nanoscale structures is crucial to controllable synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials with well-defined geometries and unique functionalities. In addition to the conventional Ostwald ripening process, oriented aggregation has been recently found to be prevalent in nanocrystal growth. In this new mechanism, primary small nanocrystals firstly spontaneously aggregate in the manner of oriented attachment, and then the large crystalline materials are formed via the process of interparticle recrystallization. Furthermore, controllable fabrication of the ordered nanocrystal solid materials that has shown specific collective properties will promote the application of inorganic nanocrystal in devices. Therefore, investigation of the mechanism of oriented aggregation is essential to controllable synthesis of nanocrystals and ordered nanocrystal solid materials. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the preparation of nanocrystal materials, which are mostly focused on our work about the role of self-assembly in construction of inorganic nanostructural materials.