Models of Synthesis of Uniform Colloids and Nanocrystals

TL;DR

This paper develops modeling approaches to understand how synthesis processes control the uniformity of size and shape in colloids and nanocrystals, focusing on nucleation, growth, and aggregation mechanisms.

Contribution

It introduces new models that explain the control of particle uniformity and shape during synthesis, emphasizing diffusional transport and coupled kinetic processes.

Findings

Models successfully predict size distribution and shape control.

Diffusional transport is key to uniform colloid formation.

Mechanisms of particle shape emergence are elucidated.

Abstract

We present modeling approaches to explain mechanisms of control of uniformity (narrow distribution) of sizes and shapes in synthesis of nanosize crystals and micron-size colloids. We consider those situations when the nanocrystals are formed by burst nucleation. The colloids are then self-assembled by aggregation of nanocrystals. The coupled kinetic processes are both controlled by diffusional transport, yielding well-defined colloid dispersions used in many applications. We address aspects of modeling of particle structure selection, ranging from nucleation to growth by aggregation and to mechanisms of emergence of particle shapes.