Metallic nanoparticles hold promise for their potential applications in a wide array of disciplines ranging from materials science to medicine. This book brings the power of theoretical methods to an audience of experimentalists, and explicates the simulation of metallic clusters and nanoparticles. It begins with a summary of the current state of research on metallic nanoparticles, then moves on to the current state of the art in theory of metallic nanoparticldes, and then explains why and how these tools help experimentalists. Contributions are provided by renowned experts in the field from across the world.

The field of nanoscience has undergone tremendous growth in the past decade as the number of applications of nanoparticles and nanostructured materials have proliferated. Metal nanoparticles have attracted particular interest due to their potential for applications in areas as diverse as catalysis, medicine and opto-electronics. The chemical and physical properties of metal nanoparticles can vary smoothly or discontinuously with nanoparticle size, depending on the size regime and the property. In the case of bi- or multimetallic nanoparticles ("nanoalloys"), these properties also depend on the elemental composition and the chemical ordering - how the metals are distributed in the nanoparticles.It is this tunability of behavior that makes metal nanoparticles and nanoalloys so versatile and appealing. This book begins with a tutorial introducing the theoretical ideas and models that have been developed to understand metal nanoparticles. It gives an overview of experimental methods for generating and characterizing metal nanoparticles and nanoalloys and of their properties and applications, providing an introduction to material covered in more depth in subsequent chapters. A major theme of all the chapters is the effect of nanoparticle size, shape and surface chemistry on their properties - especially optical and catalytic properties. A unified discussion of the inter-relations between modelling, synthesis and physical properties of nanoparticles and nanoalloys A discussion of the most promising new catalytic and photocatalytic applications of nanoparticles and the approaches used to achieve these goals A tutorial introduction which provides a basis for understanding the subsequent specialized chapters

Nanoalloys, Second Edition, provides a self-contained reference on the physics and chemistry of nanoscale alloys, dealing with all important aspects that range from the theoretical concepts and the practical synthesis methods to the characterization tools. The book also covers modern applications of nanoalloys in materials science, catalysis or nanomedicine and discusses their possible toxicity. - Covers fundamentals and applicative aspects of nanoalloys in a balanced presentation, including theoretical and experimental perspectives - Describes physical and chemical approaches, synthesis and characterization tools - Illustrates the potential benefit of alloying on various applications ranging from materials science to energy production and nanomedicine - Updates and adds topics not fully developed at the time of the 1st edition, such as toxicity and energy applications

The focus of this thesis is the computational modelling of transition metal bimetallic (nanoalloy) clusters. More specifically, the study of Pd-Pt, Ag-Pt, Au-Au and Pd-Au as a few tens of atoms in the gas phase. The author used a combination of global optimization techniques - coupled with a Gupta-type empirical many-body potential - and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to study the structures, bonding and chemical ordering, as well as investigate the chemisorptions of hydrogen and carbon monoxide on bimetallic clusters. This research is highly relevant to experimental catalytic studies and has resulted in more than seven publications in international journals.

The series Structure and Bonding publishes critical reviews on topics of research concerned with chemical structure and bonding. The scope of the series spans the entire Periodic Table and addresses structure and bonding issues associated with all of the elements. It also focuses attention on new and developing areas of modern structural and theoretical chemistry such as nanostructures, molecular electronics, designed molecular solids, surfaces, metal clusters and supramolecular structures. Physical and spectroscopic techniques used to determine, examine and model structures fall within the purview of Structure and Bonding to the extent that the focus is on the scientific results obtained and not on specialist information concerning the techniques themselves. Issues associated with the development of bonding models and generalizations that illuminate the reactivity pathways and rates of chemical processes are also relevant. The individual volumes in the series are thematic. The goal of each volume is to give the reader, whether at a university or in industry, a comprehensive overview of an area where new insights are emerging that are of interest to a larger scientific audience. Thus each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years should be presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. A description of the physical basis of the experimental techniques that have been used to provide the primary data may also be appropriate, if it has not been covered in detail elsewhere. The coverage need not be exhaustive in data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the new principles being developed that will allow the reader, who is not a specialist in the area covered, to understand the data presented. Discussion of possible future research directions in the area is welcomed. Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors. Readership: research scientists at universities or in industry, graduate students Special offer For all customers who have a standing order to the print version of Structure and Bonding, we offer free access to the electronic volumes of the Series published in the current year via SpringerLink.com

This book can be regarded as 'Soft computing for physicists and chemists self-taught'. It prepares the readers with a solid background of soft computing and how to adapt soft computing techniques to problem solving in physical and chemical research. Soft computing methods have been little explored by researchers in physical and chemical sciences primarily because of the absence of books that bridge the gap between the traditional computing paradigm pursued by researchers in science and the new soft computing paradigm that has emerged in computer science. This book is the interface between these primary sources and researchers in physics and chemistry.

Bimetallic nanoparticles, also called nanoalloys, are at the heart of nanoscience because of their ability to tune together composition and size for specific purposes. By approaching both their physical and chemical properties, Nanoalloys: Synthesis, Structure & Properties provides a comprehensive reference to this research field in nanoscience by addressing the subject from both experimental and theoretical points of view, providing chapters across three main topics: Growth and structural properties Thermodynamics and electronic structure of nanoalloys Magnetic, optic and catalytic properties The growth and elaboration processes which are the necessary and crucial part of any experimental approach are detailed in the first chapter. Three chapters are focused on the widely used characterization techniques sensitive to both the structural arrangements and chemistry of nanoalloys. The electronic structure of nanoalloys is described as a guide of useful concepts and theoretical tools. Chapters covering thermodynamics begin with bulk alloys, going to nanoalloys via surfaces in order to describe chemical order/disorder, segregation and phase transitions in reduced dimension. Finally, the optical, magnetic and catalytic properties are discussed by focusing on nanoparticles formed with one element to track the modifications which occur when forming nanoalloys. The range and detail of Nanoalloys: Synthesis, Structure & Properties makes it an ideal resource for postgraduates and researchers working in the field of nanoscience looking to expand and support their knowledge of nanoalloys.

The series Structure and Bonding publishes critical reviews on topics of research concerned with chemical structure and bonding. The scope of the series spans the entire Periodic Table and addresses structure and bonding issues associated with all of the elements. It also focuses attention on new and developing areas of modern structural and theoretical chemistry such as nanostructures, molecular electronics, designed molecular solids, surfaces, metal clusters and supramolecular structures. Physical and spectroscopic techniques used to determine, examine and model structures fall within the purview of Structure and Bonding to the extent that the focus is on the scientific results obtained and not on specialist information concerning the techniques themselves. Issues associated with the development of bonding models and generalizations that illuminate the reactivity pathways and rates of chemical processes are also relevant. The individual volumes in the series are thematic. The goal of each volume is to give the reader, whether at a university or in industry, a comprehensive overview of an area where new insights are emerging that are of interest to a larger scientific audience. Thus each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years should be presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. A description of the physical basis of the experimental techniques that have been used to provide the primary data may also be appropriate, if it has not been covered in detail elsewhere. The coverage need not be exhaustive in data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the new principles being developed that will allow the reader, who is not a specialist in the area covered, to understand the data presented. Discussion of possible future research directions in the area is welcomed. Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors. Readership: research scientists at universities or in industry, graduate students Special offer For all customers who have a standing order to the print version of Structure and Bonding, we offer free access to the electronic volumes of the Series published in the current year via SpringerLink.