Colloidal nano-particles of semiconductors and metals: Electronic structure and processes

The electronics of colloidal nano-particles of semiconductors and metals has been one of the fastest growing research fields in physical chemistry for the past 10 years. The historical development is briefly reviewed and a number of fundamental effects and processes are described. They include the transition from the compact material to the atom, heterogeneous photo-catalysis, and various aspects of nano-electrochemistry, such as the storage of excess electrons and metal deposition on nano-particles. Preparative aspects, such as the synthesis of composite metal and semiconductor particles and of nano-crystals of semiconductors are also discussed.