Nonspherical Noble Metal Nanoparticles: Colloid-Chemical Synthesis and Morphology Control

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) Vol. 22; no. 16; pp. 1781 - 1804
• Main Authors: Sau, Tapan K., Rogach, Andrey L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 22.04.2010; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: colloid-chemical synthesis; Colloids; Gold - chemistry; Lead - chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Metals - chemistry; Nanoparticles; Nanostructures; Nanotechnology - methods; noble metals; Plutonium - chemistry; shape control; Silver - chemistry
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.200901271

Metal nanoparticles have been the subject of widespread research over the past two decades. In recent years, noble metals have been the focus of numerous studies involving synthesis, characterization, and applications. Synthesis of an impressive range of noble metal nanoparticles with varied morphologies has been reported. Researchers have made a great progress in learning how to engineer materials on a nanometer length scale that has led to the understanding of the fundamental size‐ and shape‐dependent properties of matter and to devising of new applications. In this article, we review the recent progress in the colloid‐chemical synthesis of nonspherical nanoparticles of a few important noble metals (mainly Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt), highlighting the factors that influence the particle morphology and discussing the mechanisms behind the nonspherical shape evolution. The article attempts to present a thorough discussion of the basic principles as well as state‐of‐the‐art morphology control in noble metal nanoparticles. Noble metal nanoparticles with an impressive range of morphologies, such as rods, wires, stars, boxes, etc. can be produced by a colloid‐chemical approach (see figure). This article reviews the recent progress in the colloid‐chemical synthesis of nonspherical nanoparticles of a few important noble metals (mainly Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt). The article focuses on various factors that influence the particle morphology and the mechanisms of the nonspherical‐shape evolution.