Structure and thermal stability of gold nanoplates

Abstract

Gold (Au) nanoplates with an average thickness of ∼70nm and several 10μm in edge size have been mass synthesized through a solution-phase method. Structural studies demonstrate that the Au nanoplates are single crystals with (111) planes as two basal surfaces. Fragmentation of Au nanoplates is found when temperature is higher than 450°C. Investigations on the thermal stability of Au nanoplates suggest that the melting and breaking start mainly at the (110) bounded edges, while the (111) surfaces of Au nanoplates show high stability. This work is valuable for Au nanostructures applied at elevated temperatures.