Catalysis Based on Nanocrystals with Well-Defined Facets

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie (International ed.) Vol. 51; no. 3; pp. 602 - 613
• Main Authors: Zhou, Kebin, Li, Yadong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 16.01.2012; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Edition: International ed. in English
• Subjects: Catalysis; crystal facets; heterogeneous catalysis; Nanocrystals; shape control; structure sensitivity
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201102619

Using bottom‐up chemistry techniques, the composition, size, and shape in particular can now be controlled uniformly for each and every nanocrystal (NC). Research into shape‐controlled NCs have shown that the catalytic properties of a material are sensitive not only to the size but also to the shape of the NCs as a consequence of well‐defined facets. These findings are of great importance for modern heterogeneous catalysis research. First, a rational synthesis of catalysts might be achieved, since desired activity and selectivity would be acquired by simply tuning the shape, that is, the exposed crystal facets, of a NC catalyst. Second, shape‐controlled NCs are relatively simple systems, in contrast to traditional complex solids, suggesting that they may serve as novel model catalysts to bridge the gap between model surfaces and real catalysts. Shape‐controlled nanocrystals (NCs) are a new frontier in heterogeneous catalysis. Research into these NCs has shown that the catalytic properties of a material are sensitive not only to the size but also to the shape of the NCs owing to well‐defined facets. Shape‐controlled NCs may serve to bridge the gap between model surfaces and real catalysts.