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Phase Engineering of Nanomaterials (PEN): Evolution, Current Challenges, and Future Opportunities
Ye Chen1,2, Zhanxi Fan2,3,4,5, Jingjie Ge6
1Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|May 5, 2026
Summary
Phase engineering of nanomaterials (PEN) allows control over crystal structures, unlocking novel properties. This review covers PEN synthesis, characterization, applications, and future directions toward atomically-assembled structures.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Phase engineering of nanomaterials (PEN) enables precise control of crystallographic phases at the nanoscale.
- Stabilizing unconventional phases yields unique physiochemical properties beyond conventional crystals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive framework for the field of PEN, mapping its past, present, and future.
- To summarize synthetic methodologies, characterization techniques, and applications of PEN.
Main Methods:
- Review of synthetic methodologies: direct phase-controlled synthesis and phase transition.
- Emphasis on advanced characterization: in situ and operando techniques for dynamic phase behavior.
- Exploration of applications in catalysis, energy, devices, and biomedicine.
Main Results:
- PEN unlocks access to unconventional material properties.
- Advanced characterization is crucial for understanding dynamic phase behaviors.
- PEN has broad applications across diverse scientific and technological fields.
Conclusions:
- The field is advancing towards artificial atomically-assembled structures (AAASs) for deterministic atomic assembly.
- Future directions include robust phase stabilization, architecture control, and AI-integrated phase design.
- PEN holds significant potential for targeted functions and applications.
