Matter of age : growing anisotropic gold nanocrystals in organic media

• Published in: Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP Vol. 10; no. 7; pp. 951 - 956
• Main Authors: GAIKWAD, Anil V, VERSCHUREN, Peter, KINGE, Sachin, ROTHENBERG, Gadi, EISERT, Erika
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 01.01.2008
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Crystallization; Dimethylformamide; Exact sciences and technology; Formamides - chemistry; Formates - chemistry; General and physical chemistry; Gold - chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles - ultrastructure; Particle Size; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds - chemistry; Surface Properties; Chemical reduction; Gold; Shape; Growth; Nanoparticle; Formate; Transition metal; Gold ion; Precursor; Nanocrystal
• ISSN: 1463-9076; 1463-9084
• DOI: 10.1039/b715112h

We investigated the influence of the reduction state of gold ions on the growth of gold nanocrystals in N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF). While freshly prepared solutions of AuCl3 produce spherical nanocrystals, aged precursor solutions containing mainly Au+ ions and Au(0) atoms lead to various branched nanoparticles. Furthermore, we show that also the amount of the reducing and stabilisation agent tetra-n-octylammonium formate (TOAF) plays a decisive role on the shape of the nanocrystals, allowing us to grow triangular and cubic nanoparticles.