Colloidal hybrid nanoparticles contain multiple inorganic domains that are joined together through strong solid–solid interfaces, which often can lead to multifunctionality and to the emergence of new or enhanced properties. Manipulating the interfaces of such materials in a controllable fashion could open the door to the synthesis of a wide range of new functional structures in which specific physical and chemical properties are engineered from the bottom-up. Traditionally, colloidal hybrid nanoparticles have been synthesized using heterogeneous seeded nucleation of one nanoparticle onto the surface of another. However, to expand the materials diversity and the potential range of applications of such systems, alternative routes to heterogeneous seeded nucleation are needed. Here we highlight our recent efforts in the development of new methods for the synthesis of multicomponent hybrid nanoparticles comprised of plasmonic, catalytic, semiconducting and magnetic domains, through the use of solution–liquid–solid and related supersaturation-precipitation strategies. This alternate route to colloidal hybrid nanoparticles has facilitated the integration of previously inaccessible group IV elements into these structures, and represents a useful addition to the total synthesis toolbox for the construction high-order colloidal hybrid nanoparticles.

Supersaturation-precipitation strategies to colloidal hybrid nanoparticles

249th National Meeting (2015)

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