Gold nanorod crystal growth: From seed-mediated synthesis to nanoscale sculpting

• Published in: Current opinion in colloid & interface science Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 128 - 134
• Main Authors: Murphy, Catherine J., Thompson, Lucas B., Chernak, Davin J., Yang, Jie An, Sivapalan, Sean T., Boulos, Stefano P., Huang, Jingyu, Alkilany, Alaaldin M., Sisco, Patrick N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aqueous solutions; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Colloids; Crystal growth; Drug delivery systems; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Gold; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanorod; Nanostructure; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; Shape; Synthesis; Gold; Synthesis; Shape; Nanorod; Crystal growth; Drug; Impurity; Rod; Crystal seed; Ions; Transition metal; Non spherical particle; Review; Potential; Chemistry; Imaging; Particle shape; Aqueous solution
• ISSN: 1359-0294; 1879-0399
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2011.01.001

Gold nanorods have received tremendous attention in recent years due to their exciting potential applications in chemical sensing, biological imaging, drug delivery and phototherapeutics. A seed-mediated growth procedure in aqueous solution has been developed to produce these colloidal materials in reasonable quantities, with tunable shape. Details of the reaction chemistry, role of impurity ions, and their influence on the final product shape are still under debate. Subsequent chemistry on preformed nanorods can yield a variety of new shapes and functionalities for numerous applications. [Display omitted] ► Gold nanorods have multiple growth patterns depending on the synthetic method. ► Small amounts of metal ions greatly influence growth. ► It is possible to sculpt nanorods post-synthesis to produce new shapes.