Synthesis of platinum multipods: an induced anisotropic growth

This paper reports a highly effective synthesis of platinum multipods from platinum 2,4-pentanedionate in organic solvents. A trace amount of silver acetylacetonate is used to trigger the nucleation and the anisotropic growth of Pt nanocrystals. The morphologies of Pt multipods made include I- and V-shaped bipods, various types of tripods, and planar and three-dimensional (3D) tetrapods. The 3D Pt tetrapods can be well-defined, resembling those observed for II-VI semiconducting materials, such as CdS and CdSe. Control of morphology and the multipod-to-sphere transitions under various conditions have been systematically studied. A mode of formation based on the induced kinetically controlled growth has been discussed.