Nanomaterials synthesis with the use of surfactants

This review considers the methods of nanomaterials synthesis using surfactants. It provides a brief analysis and classification of surfactants. One of the methods is the synthesis of nanoporous three-dimensional-ordered oxide, chalcogenide, or metal nanomaterials in the structure of lyotropic liquid crystals formed in highly concentrated aqueous solutions of surfactants. The 1992 pioneering work on the creation of the first mesoporous silicate material, which initiated a wide wave of research in this area, is also pointed out. Another method is the use of surfactants` reverse micelles in hydrocarbon media, which allows performing reactions in microdrops volume of reacting components` solutions and thereby reduces the size of the formed nanoparticles. For targeted use of surfactants, it is necessary to know the diagrams of the double and triple diagrams of water-surfactants and water-oil-surfactants state, which are formed according to the classical concepts of physical chemistry about equilibrium in two- and multicomponent systems. This review provides the most detailed double and triple state diagrams, which are important for matrix synthesis. The methods of the state diagrams research are discussed. Close related systems based on block copolymers, a number of which can also be considered as high-molecular surfactants, are also touched upon. Oxide and oxyhydroxide nanomaterials, including Si, Al, Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, Mn, W, Sn, Ce and mixed materials compounds, with a matrix of SiO2, on which a certain amount of another metal oxide is deposited: Al, V, Cr, Fe, Zr, Mo, Ni, or metal particles of catalysts: Ag, Pt or Pd, obtained using surfactants in the process of inorganic phase deposition, are considered separately. The review provides examples of the most structured mesoporous nanomaterials, which form three-dimensional periodic structures with open porosity. It suggests ways of further development for the method of nanomaterials matrix synthesis using surfactants.