Connecting the nanoseed defect structure and crystallinity with resulting nanoparticle products

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Physical Chemistry

Background:

• Anisotropic gold nanocrystals (Au NCs) possess tunable optical, catalytic, and photocatalytic properties.
• Their morphology is influenced by seed crystallinity, defects, and synthesis conditions.
• Seed crystal facets are crucial but often overlooked in controlling Au NC shape.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the direct correlation between seed crystal structure and the final morphology of Au NCs.
• To explore how different seed morphologies and defect structures, with the same dominant crystal facet, affect Au NC formation.
• To establish new pathways for morphological control in Au NC synthesis.

Main Methods:

• Seed-mediated synthesis of anisotropic Au NCs.
• Utilizing seeds with the same dominant {111} crystal facet but varying morphologies and defect structures.
• Characterization of seed and final Au NC structures and morphologies.

Main Results:

• All tested Au NC seeds, despite differences in morphology and defects, resulted in similar stellated NC products.
• The dominant {111} crystal facet of the seed appears to be a key factor in determining the final Au NC morphology.
• Morphological outcomes were surprisingly consistent across varied seed structures.

Conclusions:

• The crystal facet of the seed plays a more dominant role in dictating Au NC morphology than previously emphasized.
• Findings suggest a paradigm shift in understanding Au NC synthesis, prioritizing facet control.
• Opens new avenues for precise morphological engineering of Au NCs through seed facet selection.