title: Shape-controlled synthesis of metal nanostructures: the case of silver.
abstract: The concept of shape-controlled synthesis is discussed by investigating the growth mechanisms for silver nanocubes, nanowires, and nanospheres produced through a polymer-mediated polyol process. Experimental parameters, such as the concentration of AgNO(3) (the precursor to silver), the molar ratio between poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP, the capping agent) and AgNO(3), and the strength of chemical interaction between PVP and various crystallographic planes of silver, were found to determine the crystallinity of seeds (e.g., single crystal versus decahedral multiply twinned particles). In turn, the crystallinity of a seed and the extent of the PVP coverage on the seed were both instrumental in controlling the morphology of final product. The ability to generate silver nanostructures with well-defined morphologies provides a great opportunity to experimentally and systematically study the relationship between their properties and geometric shapes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wiley
authors.forename: Yugang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mayers
authors.forename: Younan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xia
mesh_terms: D002951:Citrates / Q000737:chemistry; D003460:Crystallization; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002951:Citrates; D008670:Metals; D012834:Silver