Shape Control of Colloidal Metal Nanocrystals

TLDR

Colloidal metal nanoparticles are emerging as key materials for catalysis, plasmonics, sensing, and spectroscopy, and shape control enhances functionality and selectivity by providing well‑defined surfaces and morphologies through atomic‑level nucleation and growth. The study presents an overall picture of shaped metal particles, focusing on solution‑based syntheses for noble metals. The authors review solution‑based synthesis strategies for noble‑metal nanocrystals, highlighting crystallographic adsorbates and seeding processes that drive anisotropic, nonspherical growth.

Abstract

Abstract Colloidal metal nanoparticles are emerging as key materials for catalysis, plasmonics, sensing, and spectroscopy. Within these applications, control of nanoparticle shape lends increasing functionality and selectivity. Shape‐controlled nanocrystals possess well‐defined surfaces and morphologies because their nucleation and growth are controlled at the atomic level. An overall picture of shaped metal particles is presented, with a particular focus on solution‐based syntheses for the noble metals. General strategies for synthetic control are discussed, emphasizing key factors that result in anisotropic, nonspherical growth such as crystallographically selective adsorbates and seeding processes.