Removal and Utilization of Capping Agents in Nanocatalysis

Capping agents are frequently used in colloidal synthesis to inhibit nanoparticle overgrowth and aggregation as well as to control the structural characteristics of the resulted nanoparticles in a precise manner. Study of the effect of the residual capping agents on particle surface has unveiled various adverse and favorable behaviors in catalytic applications. In essence, while the capping agents usually act as a physical barrier to restrict the free access of reactants to catalytic nanoparticles, they can also be utilized to promote catalytic performance of nanocrystals. Due to the complexity of these effects, a general survey of capping agents in nanocatalysis is therefore necessary. This short review…