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Pressure-Induced Phase Engineering of Gold Nanostructures
Qian Li1, Wenxin Niu2, Xingchen Liu3,4
1Department of Chemistry , Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518055 , P. R. China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|October 23, 2018
Summary
Researchers achieved irreversible phase transformation in gold nanoribbons from hexagonal 4H to face-centered cubic (fcc) using high pressure. This pressure-induced phase engineering allows control over gold nanostructure properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Phase engineering of noble metals like gold (Au) is crucial for fundamental research and applications.
- Controlling the crystalline phase of gold nanostructures remains a significant challenge in wet-chemical synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pressure-induced phase transformation in gold nanoribbons (NRBs).
- To demonstrate a method for phase engineering of gold nanostructures.
- To elucidate the atom-based transformation pathway during the 4H-to-fcc phase transition.
Main Methods:
- High pressure treatment of hexagonal 4H gold nanoribbons.
- Experimental characterization of phase transformation.
- First-principle calculations to support the transformation mechanism.
Main Results:
- Achieved irreversible transformation from hexagonal 4H to face-centered cubic (fcc) phase in Au NRBs via high pressure.
- The proportion of 4H and fcc phases in recovered Au NRBs is controllable by peak pressure.
- Crystal-phase-heterostructured 4H/fcc Au nanorods exhibit a lower transition pressure and narrower range compared to pure 4H Au NRBs.
- The atom-based transformation pathway was experimentally revealed and computationally supported.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated the stability of the 4H gold nanostructure.
- Revealed the mechanism of pressure-induced 4H-to-fcc phase transition in gold nanostructures.
- Provided a novel strategy for phase engineering of noble metal nanostructures.
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