Written by some of the most talented young chemists in Europe, this text covers most of the groundbreaking issues in materials science. It provides an account of the latest research results in European materials chemistry based on a selection of leading young scientists participating in the 2008 European Young Chemists Award competition. The contributions range from nanotechnology to catalysis. In addition, the authors provide a current overview of their field of research and a preview of future directions. For materials scientists, as well as organic and analytical chemists.

Bruno Pignataro, born in Bologna in 1972, is Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Palermo. He received his degree in chemistry in 1995 from the University of Catania and his PhD in materials science five years later. He has helped establish a wide network of international collaborations and organized more than 10 meetings at national and international level, including coordinating the Young Chemists Group of the Italian Chemical Society and chairing the first editions of the European Young Chemist Award. He is a referee for several leading chemistry and materials journals, has more than 70 scientific publications and some 90 conference communications to his name, along with several invited lectures. Professor Pignataro's research interests focus on the related fields of the physical chemistry of molecular surfaces and soft nanotechnologies.

Preface PART I: Preparation of New Materials and Nanomaterials SELF-ASSEMBLING CYCLIC PEPTIDE-BASED NANOMATERIALS Introduction Types of Self-Assembling Cyclic Peptide Nanotubes Applications of Cyclic Peptide Nanotubes Nanotubular Assemblies from Cyclic Alpha, Gamma-Peptides Summary and Outlook DESIGNER NANOMATERIALS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ENERGY AND HIGH VALUE-ADDED CHEMICALS Introduction State of the Art in the Preparation of Designer Nanomaterials for the Production of Energy and Chemicals Highlights of Own Research Future Prospects Conclusions SUPRAMOLECULAR RECEPTORS FOR FULLERENES Introduction Classic Receptors for Fullerenes Based on Curved Recognizing Units Receptors for Fullerenes Based on Planar Recognizing Concave Receptors for Fullerenes Concave Electroactive Receptors for Fullerenes Conclusions and Future Perspectives CLICK CHEMISTRY: A QUOTE FOR FUNCTION Introduction New Applications in Materials Synthesis Perspective SUPRAMOLECULAR INTERACTIONS AND SMART MATERIALS: C-X ... X'-M HALOGEN BONDS AND GAS SORPTION IN MOLECULAR SOLIDS Introduction Interactions Involving Halogens: Nucleophiles Versus Electrophiles Combining Complementary Environments: C-X ... X'-M Halogen Bonds Smart Materials for Gas Sorption Conclusions PART II: Innovative Characterization Methods APPLICATION OF ADVANCED SOLID-STATE NMR TECHNIQUES TO THE CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOMATERIALS: A FOCUS ON INTERFACES AND STRUCTURE Introduction Solid-State NMR Tools Nanocarbons Nanoparticles Quantum Dots Self-Assembly Mesostructured Materials Study of Interfaces and Structure by Solid State NMR Conclusions NEW TOOLS FOR STRUCTURE ELUCIDATION IN THE GAS PHASE: IR SPECTROSCOPY OF BARE AND DOPED SILICON NANOPARTICLES Introduction Methods for Structural Investigation of Silicon Clusters Infrared Multiple Photon Dissociation Spectroscopy IR-Spectroscopy on Bare Silicon Cluster Cations Chemical Probe Method for Endo- and Exohedrally Doped Silicon Clusters IR-Spectroscopy on Exohedrally Doped Silicon Cluster Cations Summary and Outlook DIRECT OBSERVATION OF DYNAMIC SOLID-STATE PROCESSES WITH X-RAY DIFFRACTION Introduction The Basics: Principles, Applications, Advantages and Drawbacks of the X-Ray Photodiffraction Method Steady-State X-Ray Photodiffraction: Examples Time-Resolved X-Ray Photodiffraction: Representative Examples Conclusions and Future Outlook PART III: Understanding of Material Properties and Functions UNDERSTANDING TRANSPORT IN MFI-TYPE ZEOLITES ON A MOLECULAR BASIS Introduction Experimental Section: Materials and Techniques Surface and Intrapore Transport Studies in Zeolites Future Opportunities for Research and Industrial Application MODELING LAYERED-MINERAL ORGANIC INTERACTIONS Introduction Computer Simulation Techniques Results Conclusions and Future Work PART IV: Materials and Applications in Advanced Devices STATUS OF TECHNOLOGY AND PERSPECTIVES FOR PORTABLE APPLICATIONS OF DIRECT METHANOL FUEL CELLS Introduction Fundamental Aspects of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Current Status of DMFC Technology for Portable Power Sources Applications Perspectives and Concluding Remarks SEMICONDUCTOR BLOCK COPOLYMERS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC APPLICATIONS Introduction and History of Semiconductor Block Copolymers Crystalline-Crystalline D-A Block Copolymers P3HT-b-PperAcr Conclusions and Perspectives SWITCHING-ON: THE COPPER AGE Introduction Optical Properties of Cu(I) Complexes Old Systems for New Challenges Summary UNDERSTANDING SINGLE-MOLECULE MEGNETS ON SURFACE Introduction SMM for Dummies The "Self-Assembling" Concept Deposition of Magnetic Molecules Assessing the Integrity of SMM on Surface X-Ray Absorption and Magnetic Dichroism for SMM Electronic Characterization of Monolayer of SMMs Magnetism of SMMs Using XMCD Perspectives SCULPTING NANOMETRIC PATTERNS: THE TOP-DOWN APPROACH Introduction Production of Micro and Sub-Micro Patterns Conclusions and Outlook