Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Nanocrystals and Nanostructures

Dear Colleagues,

In this Special Issue, we aim to collect contributions dealing with studies on nucleation and growth in microwave-irradiated environments of nanoparticles (NPs), and various nanostructures: Nanoclusters, nanocomposites, core-shell NPs, decorated NPs, nanowires, etc., for different applications.

NPs exhibit an important state of condensed matter and cover the gap between atomic or molecular structure and bulk materials.

They find new applications in different fields, such as non-linear optics, battery cathodes and ionics, sensors, nano-wires, and other systems. Their special properties can be attributed to their morphology, crystallinity, purity, high surface area to volume ratio, outstanding driving force for diffusion, etc.

Since the properties of nanoparticles and nanostructures depend strongly on their size and morphology, as well as their chemical composition and crystalline structure, it is crucial to ensure precise control of these structural factors. Thus, it appears crucial to control their nucleation and growth from atomic/molecular to a distinctive nano-object, where at least one dimension is less than 100 nm.

Contributions on one-pot or multiple stage syntheses, as well as solvo-thermal or hydro-thermal preparations and gas phase deposition—all of these heated via microwave irradiation—are welcomed in this Special Issue.

Papers that demonstrate that microwave technology is advantageous in producing well reproducible and controlled nanostructures will be preferentially selected for publication. Thus, only papers where synthesis reactors, ensuring a controlled and reproducible synthesis processes, are used will be accepted. Examples of advantageous properties of the produced nano-objects are solicited.

We hope that this Special Issue will serve to promote microwave technology as an important tool for nanomaterial and nanostructure synthesis.

Prof. Dr. Cristina Leonelli
Prof. Dr. Witold Łojkowski
Guest Editors

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