The primary goal of nanotechnology is to achieve nanoscale materials and devices with atomic precision. Toward this goal, breakthroughs have recently been made in the solution-phase synthesis and applications of atomically precise nanoclusters. This book presents the exciting progress in this new research field. The chapters are contributed by leading experts of the field and cover the synthetic methods, atomic structures, electronic and optical properties, and catalytic applications of noble metal nanoclusters. Such new nanocluster materials offer exciting opportunities for chemists and physicists to understand the fundamental science of nanoclusters, especially the atomic-level structure-property correlation and design of new materials, as well as for developing a range of applications including catalysis, biomedicine, sensing, imaging, optics, and energy conversion. The book will be of interest to readers and researchers in nanotechnology, nanochemistry, catalysis, and computational chemistry, as well as practitioners in industry R&D for new materials. It is written to be accessible to undergraduate and graduate students and, therefore, is an excellent teaching material.

Growing demand for energy and the need to reduce our society's carbon footprint call for transformative measures to increase efficiency in energy consumption and sustainable methods of energy production and storage. Novel materials will be key to these transformative technologies by acting as catalysts and facilitating desired chemical transformations. Symposium U of the 2012 MRS Spring Meeting, 'Materials for Catalysis in Energy', was held April 10-13. The objective of the organisers was to bring together researchers from materials science, chemical synthesis, heterogeneous catalysis, electrocatalysis and photocatalysis to highlight recent progress and discuss challenges and opportunities in the materials aspect of catalysis research and development for energy applications. Close to 200 abstracts were received and about 150 papers were presented, demonstrating the significant interest from the broader catalysis community. This volume contains a cross-section of papers presented and highlights the interdisciplinary nature of this research area.

Atomically Precise Nanochemistry Explore recent progress and developments in atomically precise nanochemistry Chemists have long been motivated to create atomically precise nanoclusters, not only for addressing some fundamental issues that were not possible to tackle with imprecise nanoparticles, but also to provide new opportunities for applications such as catalysis, optics, and biomedicine. In Atomically Precise Nanochemistry, a team of distinguished researchers delivers a state-of-the-art reference for researchers and industry professionals working in the fields of nanoscience and cluster science, in disciplines ranging from chemistry to physics, biology, materials science, and engineering. A variety of different nanoclusters are covered, including metal nanoclusters, semiconductor nanoclusters, metal-oxo systems, large-sized organometallic nano-architectures, carbon clusters, and supramolecular architectures. The book contains not only experimental contributions, but also theoretical insights into the atomic and electronic structures, as well as the catalytic mechanisms. The authors explore synthesis, structure, geometry, bonding, and applications of each type of nanocluster. Perfect for researchers working in nanoscience, nanotechnology, and materials chemistry, Atomically Precise Nanochemistry will also benefit industry professionals in these sectors seeking a practical and up-to-date resource.

Atomically precise metal nanocluster research has emerged as a new frontier. This book serves as an introduction to metal nanoclusters protected by ligands. The authors have summarized the synthesis principles and methods, the characterization methods and new physicochemical properties, and some potential applications. By pursuing atomic precision, such nanocluster materials provide unprecedented opportunities for establishing precise relationships between the atomic-level structures and the properties. The book should be accessible to senior undergraduate and graduate students, researchers in various fields (e.g., chemistry, physics, materials, biomedicine, and engineering), R&D scientists, and science policy makers.