Multi-component nanocrystal supraparticles: Colloidal self-assembly and application

The assembly of multiple colloidal building blocks into supraparticles provides a promising strategy for designing and fabricating functional nanomaterials. Emulsion droplets possess homogeneous colloidal microspaces that facilitate a tunable assembly process, enabling versatile and controllable supraparticles with tailored composition, size, shape and properties. In this review, we introduce the development and representative examples of nanocrystal supraparticles synthesized via the emulsion route. Key influencing factors, including size and concentration ratio effect, ligand effect, temperature effect, and surfactant effect, have been discussed in detail. Besides, the novel collective properties arising from the ordered stacking of multi-component nanocrystal supraparticles are highlighted, as well as the corresponding impressive applications. In addition, we propose the current challenges and future prospects in this exciting field. We hope this review inspires further research into multi-component nanocrystal supraparticles with diverse and innovative functionalities.