Synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles by ionizing radiation – a review

Various methods of nanoparticle syntheses using ionizing radiation exist nowadays. The synthesis often proceeds in aqueous solutions and therefore the core principle lies in the radiolysis of water and subsequent reactions of formed intermediates with dissolved compounds. There is a noticeable variety of inorganic nanoscale materials prepared by radiation methods, mostly using gamma or accelerated electron irradiation. This review summarizes the radiation induced syntheses of numerous nano-sized compounds, including metals, metal alloys and core-shell systems, metal oxides, carbonates, sulfides, etc., nanomaterials on supports, various heterostructures and nanocomposites. Many of these compounds feature various enhanced properties related to their small size, when compared to bulk materials. Size of the prepared particles vary from subnanometric to several tens of nm and the morphology can be fine-tuned by dose, dose rate and the composition of irradiated solutions.