Issue 7, 2016

Chemistry and properties at a sub-nanometer scale

Abstract

Ultrathin materials at a sub-nanometer scale not only feature atomic scale size, but also possess unprecedented properties compared to conventional nanomaterials. The two aspects endow such materials with great potential. In sub-nanometric (SN) wires, the weak interactions may overwhelm the rigidity of inorganic compounds and dominate behaviours at this regime. Consequently intricate structures and polymer-like rheology can be obtained, shedding new light on chemistry as well as material design. As for 0D or 2D SN materials, clusters are analogous to molecules and SN sheets show unique electronic structures. Taking SN wire as an example, their growth mechanisms are discussed, as well as their applications and potentials. The chemistry at this regime can promote their application-oriented research, however, this is not yet well explored. In short, there is great potential at the sub-nanometer scale, although there are also many challenges ahead.

Graphical abstract: Chemistry and properties at a sub-nanometer scale

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
28 Jan 2016
Accepted
02 Mar 2016
First published
03 Mar 2016
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 3978-3991

Chemistry and properties at a sub-nanometer scale

B. Ni and X. Wang, Chem. Sci., 2016, 7, 3978 DOI: 10.1039/C6SC00432F

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