Mesocrystals - Applications and potential

Mesocrystals are superstructures of nanoparticles with mutual order and can be intermediates in a non-classical particle-mediated,crystallization reaction. Mesocrystals have various potential applications as functional materials due to their unique combination of nanoparticle properties and order combined with a microscopic or even macroscopic size. They can also show collective and emergent properties. In the past, most attention has been paid to the synthesis and the formation mechanism of mesocrystals and in some cases properties and potential applications were reported. Only recently, the number of studies on mesocrystal applications has increased with a clear focus on photocatalysis, Li-ion battery and electrode applications. In this opinion paper, the remarkable progress in the field of mesocrystal applications of the last three years is highlighted including examples, where mesocrystals already now can by far outperform traditional materials with their excellent material properties, which can even reach the theoretically maximally possible value. The future application potential of mesocrystals is also discussed. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.