State-of-the-art and perspectives in particulate nanostructured materials

Nanostructured materials (NM) are characterized by a typical structural size below 100 nm. The possibility of realization of some unique physico-mechanical and physico-chemical properties in the nanocrystalline state is attractive for many specialists of material science, physics and chemistry of solid state, and high technology. The understanding of relationship between different properties and structure is so found to be not trivial. Methods of NM preparation particulate and film NM are generalized in this review. A "soft" crystallization from amorphous state and plastic deformation are also considered. Special attention is given to high-energy consolidation methods. Properties of NM are discussed in connection with possible application.