Tonnam Balankura edited Introduction.tex  almost 9 years ago

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Well-defined shapes of Ag nanocrystals such as cube \cite{Im_2005}, octahedron \cite{Xia_2012}, icosahedron \cite{Xiong_2007}, triangular plate \cite{Lofton_2005} and five-fold twinned pentagonal wire \cite{Tsuji_2008} can be synthesized with colloidal methods.  Although a variety of Ag nanocrystal shapes can be synthesized, the shape-control mechanism still remains elusive.  Previous efforts to solidify theshape-control  mechanism of shape-control  will be described in the literature review section. This knowledge is critical in designing robust methods for large-scale production of nanocrystals with well-defined shape.  Consequently, large-scale production enables the commercialization of nanocrystals products with outstanding properties that exceeds what is available in the current market.  \subsection{Research Goal} \subsection{Goal and Objectives}  We aim to gain a fundamental understanding of how Ag nanocrystals are grown to specific shapes, such as nanocubes \cite{Im_2005}, nanoplates \cite{Lofton_2005} and nanowires \cite{Tsuji_2008}.  Using molecular simulation, simulations,  we hope to answer these intriguing questions: How are {100} facets stabilized in the growth of nanocubes?  How are twinned nanocrystals formed and stabilized?  How does stabilizing agents, foreign species, and solvent molecules contribute to shape selectivity?  Our ultimate goal is to provide guidelines for engineers on designing syntheses that produces batches of mono-disperse metal nanocrystals.  Within the grant period, our research objectives are:  \begin{enumerate}  \item Hi  \item Hello  \end{enumerate}