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Nature 437, 664-670 (29 September 2005) | doi:10.1038/nature04165; Published online 28 September 2004

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Review Article Colloidal nanocrystal synthesis and the organic–inorganic interface

Yadong Yin1 & A. Paul Alivisatos1

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Colloidal nanocrystals are solution-grown, nanometre-sized, inorganic particles that are stabilized by a layer of surfactants attached to their surface. The inorganic cores possess useful properties that are controlled by their composition, size and shape, and the surfactant coating ensures that these structures are easy to fabricate and process further into more complex structures. This combination of features makes colloidal nanocrystals attractive and promising building blocks for advanced materials and devices. Chemists are achieving ever more exquisite control over the composition, size, shape, crystal structure and surface properties of nanocrystals, thus setting the stage for fully exploiting the potential of these remarkable materials.

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