Investigation of various synthetic protocols for self-assembled nanomaterials and their role in catalysis: progress and perspectives

Self-assembly is one of the most used strategies in the controlled synthesis and design of well-organized nanomaterials for various applications in diverse realms namely catalysis, sensors, microelectronics, energy storage, and energy conversion. It is quite common to see reports on the synthesis and design of several self-assembled nanomaterials for the application in the catalysis of various chemical, photochemical, and electrochemical reactions and processes. Nevertheless, a combined overview on the synthetic strategies for self-assembled nanomaterials has not been reported in any form in literature. Owing to the current interest shown and the future significance on the self-assembled nanomaterials, it is highly essential to have such an elaborated review on the progress and perspectives of synthesis of self-assembled nanomaterials and their subsequent application to catalysis of various chemical, photochemical, and electrochemical reactions and processes. In this review, we have highlighted various synthetic methodologies used so far for fabricating the self-assembled nanomaterials that includes Langmuir–Blodgett method, layer-by-layer assembly, amphiphilic (artificial and bio) self-assembly, and template-free approach. Nanomaterials derived from the above mentioned methods in various catalysis reactions are also highlighted in detail with an emphasis on confronts and prospects in the field of materials self-assembling and its concomitant application to catalysis.