Monopod, bipod, tripod, and tetrapod gold nanocrystals.
Multipod gold nanocrystals have been synthesized via a simple solution-phase chemical reduction method at room temperature. Two types of structurally different particles are observed, including the regular tripod, which lies on the substrate with its {111} plane, and the cross-like tetrapod that sits on its {100} plane. Both structures have pods of 10 nm sizes and grow along 110 directions. Variously shaped particles, including tadpole-like or teardrop-like monopods, 90 degrees L-shaped, 180 degrees I-shaped, and 120 degrees V-shaped bipods, T-shaped, Y-shaped, and regular triangular tripods, and cross-like tetrapods, have been produced. Due to the high conductivity of metal, these branched structures are quite promising considering their applications as interconnections in the "bottom-up" self-assembly approach toward future nanocircuits and nanodevices, as well as in other related fields.
Chen
Sihai
S
Center for Optical Materials Sciences and Engineering Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634-0971, USA. chens@clemson.edu
Wang
Zhong Lin
ZL
Ballato
John
J
Foulger
Stephen H
SH
Carroll
David L
DL