Size and shape control of nanocrystals attract more and more attentions and become one of the most interesting research areas. Tailored nanomaterials with desirable size and shape play important roles in catalysis, magnetic refrigeration, MRI contrast agents and information storage due to their unique catalytic, magnetic, electronic and optical properties. In addition, efficient assembly of these nanocrystals makes miniaturization and the possibility of nanodevices appear closer to reality.

Alkalide Reduction is a novel bottom-up method to synthesize a wide variety of nanomaterials, including nanocrystalline lanthanide metals and alloys. Particles with very small size (2–4 nm) and very narrow (< 10%) size dispersion can be produced when applied to synthesis of single metal or alloy nanocrystals. Furthermore, post Alkalide Reduction oxidative heating can result in nanorods of a number of materials. In this dissertation, the first systematic study of the factors that affect the size, size dispersion and shape of nanocrystals made by Alkalide Reduction has been explored. In addition to findings of the relationship between the reaction conditions and the size and size dispersion of gold nanocrystals, we have discovered conditions that allow a large degree of shape control.

Air and moisture stable gold coated gadolinium nanoparticles were first synthesized by Alkaline Reduction under optimal reaction conditions with reasonable particle size and size distribution. Gd nanoparticles were well protected by a gold shell and showed similar magnetic properties to previously reported Gd nanoparticles. Results of these projects will be presented in this dissertation.