介晶體為除了單晶,多晶與非晶體系材料之外,近年來相當受矚目的新穎材料系統之一。這類材料無論在電性,光學特性,藥物釋放,化學合成前驅物以及催化反應等應用皆具有極大的潛力。然而,儘管介晶體無論在基礎研究與應用端皆極具潛力,目前現有的介晶體材料的化學合成製程尚無法合成出多元的複雜相體系,亦無法有效率地調控介晶體材料的環境功能性,也無法透過對於其環境的調控與交互作用,使得介晶體材料本身的物化特性更加突破同時具備多功能性。不同於以往介晶體材料使用的化學溶液合成法( 亦為近年來合成介晶體材料的主流製程),近年來藉由脈衝雷射剝鍍與雷射分子束磊晶製程的開發,使得合成的介晶體系不受限簡單的元素組成,進而可將複雜性化合物的多元性質加以引入。在本文章中,我們將簡述複合型介晶體材料系統的研究沿革與發展,以及氧化物複合型介晶體的設計概念。此外,亦將介紹多種新穎氧化物複合型介晶體材料系統的功能與特性。
Mesocrystal - a new class of crystals as compared to conventional and well-known single crystals and polycrystalline systems - has captured significant attention in the last decade. Recent studies have been focused on the advance of synthesis mechanisms as well as the potential on device applications. In order to create further opportunities upon functional mesocrystals, new mesocrystal systems fabricated by laser-MBE process has been advanced. The goal of the mesocrystal research has been to reach superior performance for novel catalytic, electronic, optical, drug delivery and reaction precursor applications. Due to their structural nature, the mesoscopically-structured crystals can offer unique properties and functionalities that are distinct from bulk biominerals or functional materials. Considerable efforts have been made to develop synthesis mechanisms and to acquire new members of the mesocrystal family as well as tailoring their tantalizing functionalities. However, while most of the studies hitherto have addressed the advances and potential applications of mesocrystals, rarely has the attention been placed on new possibilities triggered by the elegant combination of mesocrystals and functional materials. This review article delivers a general guide that portrays the enhancement of intrinsic properties and new functionalities driven by novel mesocrystal-embedded oxide systems. An in-depth understanding and breakthroughs achieved in mesocrystal embedded oxide systems are also highlighted. This article concludes with a brief discussion on potential directions and perspectives along this research field.