Synthesis and Applications of Anisotropic Nanoparticles

Dear Colleagues,

Anisotropic nanoparticles, characterized by their direction-dependent properties, have garnered significant attention in nanotechnology and materials science due to their unique physical, chemical, and biological attributes. The study of anisotropic nanoparticles can be traced back to the early 20th century, but it was not until the advent of advanced microscopy and synthesis techniques during the late 20th cantury and the beginning of this centrury that detailed investigation became feasible. Historically, the understanding of nanoparticles has primarily focused on isotropic forms, like spherical particles, but the realization that anisotropic shapes, such as rods, prisms, stars, and cubes, can offer novel functionalities has led to a surge in research. These nanoparticles exhibit distinctive optical, electrical, magnetic, and catalytic properties due to their varied surface area, aspect ratios, and crystallographic facets, which differ from their isotropic counterparts. Today, cutting-edge research is exploring precise control of the synthesis of anisotropic nanoparticles to tailor their properties to specific applications. For instance, gold nanorods and silver nanoprisms are being studied for their enhanced plasmonic properties, which are valuable in biosensing, imaging, and photothermal therapies. Advances in the field have been propelled by techniques like seed-mediated growth, template-assisted methods, and chemical reduction approaches, which allow for the fine-tuning of particle morphology. Researchers are also delving into the self-assembly of anisotropic nanoparticles to create complex hierarchical structures, opening up new possibilities in metamaterials and nanophotonics. In addition, the advances in multicomponent nanoparticles, which consist of two or more different materials combined at the nanoscale, can simultaneously show anisotropy, in configurations such as Janus morphology, while adding multifunctionality with synergistic properties. Finally, the surface chemistry and functionalization of anisotropic nanoparticles are being engineered to improve their biocompatibility and targeting capabilities, particularly for drug delivery systems and diagnostic tools in medical applications. As the field progresses, the integration of anisotropic nanoparticles into various technologies promises to revolutionize sectors ranging from medicine to energy, underscoring the importance of continued innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The scope of this Special Issue combines all of these concepts to advance the following:

- Synthesis: new or improved methods of anisotropic nanoparticle synthesis to obtain them in higher yield, higher uniformity, better tunability of size and shape, or new morphologies. This includes nanomaterials of different materials, such as metallic, magnetic, semiconductors, multi-component, etc.

- Characterization: advances in physicochemical characterization methods that improve the understanding of anisotropic nanomaterials regarding their synthesis and the structure–properties relationship in properties such as optics, magnetism, catalysis, etc.

- Assembly: formation of anisotropic nanoparticle suprastructures through directed assembly and self assembly, generating new properties and new nanoparticle applications.

- Applications: advances in all the fields where anisotropic nanoparticles offer clear advantages. This includes applications in fields such as biomedicine in diagnosis and therapy, sensing, imaging, nanoactuators and nanomotors, anisotropic composites, etc.

Dr. Javier Reguera
Guest Editor

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• anisotropic nanoparticles
• directionality
• nanorods
• nanodumbbells
• nanoplates
• nanostars
• nanowires
• polyhedral
• Janus
• synthesis
• assembly
• structure–properties