SYNTHESIS ROUTES FOR LARGE VOLUMES OF NANOPARTICLES

This review focuses on the preparation of capped nanoparticles of inorganic materials, classified by composition. The materials described include elemental metals and metalloids (semiconductors), chalcogenide II–VI and IV–VI semiconductors, III–V semiconductors, and oxides (both of simple- and multitransition metal). Although particular emphasis is placed on methods that yield large volumes of nanoparticles, recent novel methods that may not necessarily be scalable are also reviewed. The review makes apparent the richness of chemistry that has become routine to practitioners in the field; diverse inorganic systems with distinct chemistry require distinct methods of preparation.