Size and shape-controlled synthesis of Ru nanocrystals

AbstractMastery over the size/shape of nanocrystals (NCs) enables control of their properties and enhancement of their usefulness for a given application. Within the past decades, the development of wet-chemistry methods leads to the blossom of research in noble metal nanomaterials with tunable sizes and shapes. We herein would prefer to devote this chapter to introduce the solution-based methods for size and shape-controlled synthesis of ruthenium (Ru) NCs, which can be summarized into five categories: (i) Synthesis of spherical Ru NCs; (ii) synthesis of one-dimensional (1D) Ru NCs, e.g. wires and rods; (iii) synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) Ru NCs, e.g. nanoplates; (iv) synthesis of Ru NCs with hollow interiors and (v) synthesis of Ru NCs with other morphologies, e.g. chains, dendrites and branches. We aim at highlighting the synthetic approaches and growth mechanisms of these types of Ru NCs. We also introduce the detailed characterization tools for analysis of Ru NCs with different sizes/shapes. With respect to the creation of great opportunities and tremendous challenges due to the accumulation in noble metal nanomaterials, we briefly make some perspectives for the future development of Ru NCs so as to provide the readers a systematic and coherent picture of this promising field. We hope this reviewing effort can provide for technical bases for effectively designing and producing Ru NCs with enhanced physical/chemical properties.Graphical Abstract:The solution-based methods for size and shape-controlled synthesis of ruthenium nanocrystals as well as the mechanisms behind them are extensively reviewed.