Nanomaterials Overview

Principles

Definition

Nanomaterials is an interdisciplinary academic concept and research domain focused on materials possessing structural features or dimensions within the nanoscale, typically ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers. It investigates the size-dependent physical, chemical, and biological properties and phenomena that significantly deviate from those of their conventional bulk counterparts, holding profound significance for potential applications across diverse scientific and technological fields.

Ontological type

Synthesis Techniques

Characterization Methods

Structure–Property Relationships

Key developments

Key Figures

Seeded Shape Control era

Andrea C. Ferrari[1] is a prominent figure in nanomaterials during the Seeded Shape Control era, with affiliations at Massachusetts Institute of Technology[3] and University of Cambridge[4]. His work on Raman Spectrum of Graphene and Graphene Layers[7] established Raman spectroscopy as a critical nondestructive probe for graphene, enabling layer-resolved characterization and guiding nanoscale material design in this era. Kostya S. Novoselov[2] is associated with Radboud University Nijmegen[5] and the University of Manchester[6] in this era. As a co-author of the Raman Spectrum of Graphene and Graphene Layers[7], he helped demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy can reveal graphene’s layer number and quality, a foundational advance that accelerated the exploration of two-dimensional nanomaterials and their structure–property relationships in seed-mediated synthesis.

Surface-Engineered 2D Systems era

Rodney S. Ruoff [1], associated with Harvard University [3] and Washington University in St. Louis [4] during 2007–2013, helped shape 2D materials surface engineering in this period. His contributions include the Synthesis of graphene-based nanosheets via chemical reduction of exfoliated graphite oxide [7] and Preparation and characterization of graphene oxide paper [8], which established scalable production routes and surface chemistries crucial for tuning electronic coupling and interlayer interactions in 2D assemblies. Jonathan N. Coleman [2], with affiliations at McMaster University [5] and Trinity College Dublin [6], advanced two-dimensional nanosheets through liquid exfoliation of layered materials, as described in Two-Dimensional Nanosheets Produced by Liquid Exfoliation of Layered Materials [9]. This approach, as demonstrated in Two-Dimensional Nanosheets Produced by Liquid Exfoliation of Layered Materials [9], highlighted scalable production and pioneering surface-engineered interfaces that enabled 2D nanosheets to serve as tunable building blocks for energy storage, flexible electronics, and biomedical platforms.

Interfacial MXene Engineering era

Yury Gogotsi[1] is a leading figure in interfacial MXene engineering, with affiliations at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology[3] and the University of California, Los Angeles[4] during this era. Key contributions include the development of Flexible and conductive MXene films and nanocomposites with high capacitance[7], the synthesis-oriented study Effect of Synthesis on Quality, Electronic Properties and Environmental Stability of Individual Monolayer Ti3C2 MXene Flakes[8], and the Oxidation Stability of Colloidal Two-Dimensional Titanium Carbides (MXenes)[9], collectively advancing conductivity, dispersion stability, and scalable processing. Michel W. Barsoum[2] has held positions at the Drexel University[5] and Linköping University[6] during this era. His contributions include the Synthesis of two-dimensional titanium nitride Ti4N3(MXene)[10], expanding the MXene family and enabling scalable production, and the Flexible and conductive MXene films and nanocomposites with high capacitance[7], illustrating practical interfacial design rules for high-performance energy and shielding applications.