Ultrasound in Nanochemistry: Recent Advances

Applications of ultrasound in the synthesis of nanomaterials, nanocomposites, and nanoforms of chemical compounds are reviewed here. Ultrasonic treatment is widely used to produce nanostructures/nanocomposites containing elemental metals, alloys, carbon nanoforms, metal oxides, salts, and coordination compounds, macrocycles, and polymers, as well as for obtaining nanoemulsions and nanogels. Nanocatalysts can be prepared or function more actively in conditions of ultrasonic irradiation, in particular, in the degradation of organic pollutants. Ultrasonically prepared nanomaterials are also applied for tumor treatments and drug delivery purposes.