Nanocrystal Aerogels with Coupled or Decoupled Building Blocks

The influence of interparticle contact in nanoparticle-based aerogelnetwork structures is investigated by selectively connecting or isolating the buildingblocks inside of the network, thereby coupling and decoupling them in regards to theiroptical and electronic properties. This is achieved by tuning the synthesis sequence andexchanging the point of shell growth and the point of particle assembly, leading to twodistinctly different structures as examined by electron microscopy. By thoroughexamination of the resulting optical properties of the generated structures, the clearcorrelation between nanoscopic/microscopic structure and macroscopic optical proper-ties is demonstrated. Temperature-dependent measurements and effective massapproximation calculations support ourfindings

Physical Chemistry on the Nanometer Scale

Nanoscience has become one of the largest interdisciplinary fields of research during the last two decades. It is worldwide recognized that nanotechnology will play a key role in the 21st century. Meanwhile, there are several established applications that evolved from the results of fundamental research, such as using chemically prepared quantum dots for the newest generation of television and computer displays