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From Solute, Fluidic and Particulate Precursors to Complex Organizations of Matter
Author(s) -
Rao Ashit,
Cölfen Helmut
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the chemical record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.61
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1528-0691
pISSN - 1527-8999
DOI - 10.1002/tcr.201800003
Subject(s) - nucleation , template , chemical physics , nanotechnology , amorphous solid , crystallization , nanoparticle , chemistry , molecule , materials science , crystallography , organic chemistry
The organization of matter from its constitutive units recruits intermediate states with distinctive degrees of self‐association and molecular order. Existing as clusters, droplets, gels as well as amorphous and crystalline nanoparticles, these precursor forms have fundamental contributions towards the composition and structure of inorganic and organic architectures. In this personal account, we show that the transitions from atoms, molecules or ionic species to superstructures of higher order are intertwined with the interfaces and interactions of precursor and intermediate states. Structural organizations distributed across different length scales are explained by the multistep nature of nucleation and crystallization, which can be guided towards functional hybrid materials by the strategic application of additives, templates and reaction environments. Thus, the non‐classical pathways for material formation and growth offer conceptual frameworks for elucidating, inducing and directing fascinating material organizations of biogenic and synthetic origins.