Lead to unique physicochemical phenomena. Bottom-up colloidal methods have provided remarkable control over NCs, allowing precise manipulation of their size, shape, composition, elemental distribution, crystal structure, and surface chemistry. However, the field is now evolving toward more sophisticated nanomaterials that exhibit complex compositions, unconventional elemental mixing, and precisely engineered lattice defects, offering enhanced optical, catalytic, and other functionalities. Unfortunately, these advanced features remain underexplored due to the high energy barriers and out-of-equilibrium conditions required during synthesis.

The Time4Nano project aims to introduce a groundbreaking bottom-up colloidal methodology, called timescale-controlled NC transformations (TNT), which leverages pulsed laser irradiation in combination with wet-chemical techniques to create the out-of-equilibrium conditions necessary for synthesizing multielemental nanomaterials. The project will focus on: Investigating the controlled transformation of NC chemical composition (Objective 1), Exploring the distribution of elements within the NCs (Objective 2), Engineering lattice defects (Objective 3).

If successful, Time4Nano will close knowledge gaps in TNT methodologies by merging laser technology and wet chemistry in novel ways, enabling unprecedented control over nanoscale matter. This will open new pathways for designing nanomaterials with tailored physicochemical properties, potentially leading to breakthroughs in catalysis, energy storage, sensors, and optoelectronics.