Bottom up, solid-phase syntheses of inorganic nanomaterials by mechanochemistry and aging

Inorganic nanomaterials are at the heart of some of the most exciting research developments of the day. Their synthesis with high control over their size, shape, and composition is essential to achieve the desired properties. Recently mechanochemistry and aging have emerged as powerful methodologies to produce such nanomaterials. Interestingly, methods relying on molecular precursors, as opposed to bulk or micro-sized phases, allow the seeding and growth of nanoparticles in the absence of solvent, with remarkable control, to achieve unusually small size and monodispersity. These emerging methods are reviewed in this opinion article.