Controlling the edge length of gold nanoprisms via a seed-mediated approach

A straightforward method is investigated for controlling and reinitiating the growth of single-crystalline Au nanoprisms. This work is based on seeding methodology, and depends on the slow reduction of metal ions onto the surface of a growing nanoprism. In this manner, we can tailor the edge length of Au nanoprisms between 100 and 300 nm without changing their thickness or crystallinity. Each nanoprism size has been characterized by UV-vis-NIR (NIR: near-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, and statistical analysis. Based on this work and existing silver halide crystal-growth theories, a preliminary mechanism is proposed which comments on the interplay between crystal growth and surface chemistry that ultimately dictates the morphology of the resulting nanostructure.