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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis
Published on: July 10, 2021
Nobler than the Noblest: Noncubic Gold Microcrystallites
Gangaiah Mettela1, Summayya Kouser2,3, Chaitali Sow1
1Thematic Unit of Excellence on Nanochemistry, and Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Jakkur P.O., Bangalore, 560 064, India.
Abstract:
Conventional gold comprising the cubic lattice is universally known for its stability. However, well known to chemists and metallurgists, this nobility is challenged by reagents such as aqua regia, which dissolve gold to form a salt solution. Among metals, mercury blends with gold to form amalgam, otherwise transition metals such as copper tend to interact with gold surfaces in electrochemical media. Herein, we report a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the stability of Au microcrystallites bearing unconventional crystal lattices that exhibit enhanced stability towards Hg and aqua regia and practically no interaction with Cu during electroless plating. The unconventional gold is undoubtedly nobler.
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