Physical Sciences Division
Published September 3, 2025 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

Prospects of Nanoscience with Nanocrystals: 2025 Edition

Creators

  • 1. Institute of Science and Technology Austria
  • 2. ETH Zürich
  • 3. École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
  • 4. University of Basel
  • 5. University of Texas at Austin
  • 6. Sorbonne Université
  • 7. City University of Hong Kong
  • 8. Catalonia Institute for Energy Research
  • 9. University of Washington
  • 10. Université Grenoble Alpes
  • 11. University of Chicago
  • 12. University of Groningen
  • 13. Ghent University
  • 14. BCMaterials
  • 15. Indiana University
  • 16. Nanjing University
  • 17. Tsinghua University
  • 18. Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • 19. Stanford University
  • 20. University of Pennsylvania
  • 21. Pohang University of Science and Technology
  • 22. SKKU Institute of Energy Science and Technology

Description

Nanocrystals (NCs) of various compositions have made important contributions to science and technology, with their impact recognized by the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery and synthesis of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Over four decades of research into NCs has led to numerous advancements in diverse fields, such as optoelectronics, catalysis, energy, medicine, and recently, quantum information and computing. The last 10 years since the predecessor perspective "Prospect of Nanoscience with Nanocrystals" was published in ACS Nano have seen NC research continuously evolve, yielding critical advances in fundamental understanding and practical applications. Mechanistic insights into NC formation have translated into precision control over NC size, shape, and composition. Emerging synthesis techniques have broadened the landscape of compounds obtainable in colloidal NC form. Sophistication in surface chemistry, jointly bolstered by theoretical models and experimental findings, has facilitated refined control over NC properties and represents a trusted gateway to enhanced NC stability and processability. The assembly of NCs into superlattices, along with two-dimensional (2D) photolithography and three-dimensional (3D) printing, has expanded their utility in creating materials with tailored properties. Applications of NCs are also flourishing, consolidating progress in fields targeted early on, such as optoelectronics and catalysis, and extending into areas ranging from quantum technology to phase-change memories. In this perspective, we review the extensive progress in research on NCs over the past decade and highlight key areas where future research may bring further breakthroughs.

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1021/acsnano.5c07838
Other
oai:uchicago.tind.io:16209

Funding

U.S. National Science Foundation
CHE-2404291
Los Alamos National Laboratory
20250443ER
Agencia Estatal de Investigación
PID2022-136883OB-C22
BASF Corporation
U.S. National Science Foundation
CBET-2223453
National Natural Science Foundation of China
22171132
U.S. National Science Foundation
DMR-2102526
U.S. Department of Energy
Werner Siemens-Stiftung
Agence Nationale de la Recherche
ANR-21-CE09-0029
Research Grant Council of Hong Kong
SRFS 2324-1S04
Swiss National Science Foundation
200021_192308
National Research Foundation of Korea
2022R1A2C3009129
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Novo Nordisk Fonden
Departament de Recerca i Universitats of the Generalitat de Catalunya
2021 SGR 01581
Innovation and Technology Commission
ITS/027/22MX
Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality
JQ24003
European Commission
101135704
Jiangsu Provincial Department of Science and Technology
BK20232041
H2020 European Research Council
101086358
National Growth Fund Netherlands
Weizmann-ETH Zurich Bridge Program
H2020 European Research Council
756225
H2020 European Research Council
852751
Agence Nationale de la Recherche
ANR-21-CE24-0012-02
Agence Nationale de la Recherche
ANR-22-CE09-0018
Agence Nationale de la Recherche
ANR-23-CE50-0025
Agence Nationale de la Recherche
ANR-24-ASM1-0001
Agence Nationale de la Recherche
ANR-24-CE09-0786
Agence Nationale de la Recherche
ANR-24-CE09-0786-01
Agence Nationale de la Recherche
ANR-24-CE42-2757
National Natural Science Foundation of China
52472165

UChicago Information

Division(s)
Physical Sciences Division
Department(s)
Chemistry