Editorial pubs.acs.org/cm
Template Synthesis Approach to Nanomaterials: Charles Martin Chemistry of Materials’ 1k Club CRM: I knew starting in the mid-1980s that template synthesis was a powerful and versatile method for preparing nanomaterials. By the time the Chem. Mater. article had appeared, we had used it to make nanowires and nanotubes composed of metals, semiconductors, plastics, inorganic materials, etc. and had assembled rudimentary devices by template synthesis (Figure 2). I knew this method was
We are pleased to continue our series highlighting papers published in Chemistry of Materials that have been cited 1000 times or more (our 1k Club), in an effort to understand what makes these papers special. In our second edition of the series, we talk to the author of one of our most highly cited reviews, an article that summarizes the application of porous membranes for the synthesis of nanomaterials, by Charles R. Martin (CRM) (Figure 1).1 This review has accumulated 1391 (Google Scholar) and 1113 citations (Web of Science) as of August 12, 2014.
Figure 2. Representative examples of transmission electron micrographs (TEM images), reproduced from ref 1. (a) Microtomed sample of an alumina membrane with 10 nm pores. (b) A porous alumina membrane infilled with 70 nm diameter Au nanofibers. (c) Polypyrrole nanotubules grown via this membrane-templated procedure. Reproduced with permission. Copyright 1996 American Chemical Society.
important. As to how the field has evolvedtemplate synthesis is now routinely used in laboratories all over the world and is now a workhorse method in nanoscience. CM: If you had to put your finger on it, what made your review special? What are you most happy about when you reread it? CRM: The review was special because it showed, in one place, the versatility of the template method, and that versatility is perhaps the thing I am most happy about. As examples, this paper shows that template synthesis can be used to make enzyme-filled nanotubes that functioned as a new type of bioreactor. The original paper was published in Nature2 and was an early example of “bionanotechnology”. We also used this synthetic approach to demonstrate the colors of nanosized metal particles. While many chemists and materials scientists are now familiar with plasmon resonance absorption, at that time this phenomenon was less known and appreciated. Our demonstration of the multiple colors of nanosized gold was an early illustration of this phenomenon. We also showed how to make nanoelectrodes, a hot new field in electrochemistry at the time, and to electromodulate the transport properties of membranes. CM: What’s your advice to young scientists trying to discover the next breakthrough in material science? CRM: One of my main goals at the start of my scientific career was for my work to have broad impact that transcended the traditional boundaries of science and engineering. I have
Figure 1. Member of the Chemistry of Materials 1k Club. Charles R. Martin (University of Florida).
CM: At what stage of your academic career were you when submitted this manuscript to Chemistry of Materials? CRM: I was a full professor at Colorado State University. This article was a review of the “template-synthesis” method for preparing nanomaterials that was pioneered in my laboratories, work that began when I was at Texas A&M University (1981 to 1990), and continued throughout my Colorado State days (1990−1999). It continues to this day in my laboratories here at The University of Florida. The article reviewed work done by a large number of graduate students, undergrads, and postdocs in the group. CM: Given the high citation record of your article, a significant amount of research has been impacted by your findings over the years. Where did you think the field was headed when you wrote the paper? In your opinion, how has this particular research field evolved ever since? © 2014 American Chemical Society
Published: September 9, 2014 4889
dx.doi.org/10.1021/cm5030662 | Chem. Mater. 2014, 26, 4889−4890
Chemistry of Materials
Editorial
succeeded in that. So my advice to young scientists who would like to do the same is: Whatever scientific box you are in now, GET OUT OF IT. It should also be noted that Charles Martin is “more than just” a highly successful materials chemisthe is a songwriter, a singer, and a music producer and has entertained crowds of more than 30,000. His latest album, released in January of 2014, is called Genius Boy Music.3 He also runs a YouTube channel that relates scientific concepts through music and comedy.4
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Carlos Toro, Managing Editor Jillian M. Buriak, Editor-in-Chief
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Notes
Views expressed in this editorial are those of the author and not necessarily the views of the ACS.
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REFERENCES
(1) Martin, C. Chem. Mater. 1996, 8, 1739−1746. (2) Parthasarathy, R.; Martin, C. R. Nature 1994, 369, 298−301. (3) http://geniusboymusic.com/. (4) https://www.youtube.com/user/ChuckMartinGeniusBoy/ featured.
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dx.doi.org/10.1021/cm5030662 | Chem. Mater. 2014, 26, 4889−4890
