Ion beam irradiation techniques: Enabling the synthesis, modification and enhancement catalytic applications in nanostructured materials

How to control the synthesis and modification of nanomaterials is an important topic in the past decades, which directly affects the physicochemical properties and wide application scenarios of nanomaterials. Ion beam technology provides a promising method for the regulated synthesis and modification of nanomaterials. The radiation effects generated by the fundamental interaction between high-energy ions and lattice atoms induce the nucleation and modification behavior of nanomaterial interfaces, paving the way for the changes in catalytic property of nanomaterials. In this review, the updated advances in the synthesis of nanomaterials induced by ion beam technology are systematically summarized, including the radiation fabrication behavior of electron beams and other high-energy ion beams. Significantly, the fascinating photocatalytic and electrocatalytic properties of nanomaterials are highlighted and achieved by the regulation of ion beam irradiation technology, which provides a guidance for the exploration of nanomaterials with high-efficiency catalytic capability. Further, the interesting catalytic applications are introduced for enhancing the comprehensive understanding of ion irradiation technology. Finally, combining with recent advances in the synthesis, modification and application of nanomaterials achieved by using ion beam technology, existing challenges and possible solutions are presented for guiding the potential development of ion beam irradiation technology with a wider application prospect.