title: Observation of Coalescence Process of Silver Nanospheres During Shape Transformation to Nanoprisms.
abstract: In this report, we observed the growth mechanism and the shape transformation from spherical nanoparticles (diameter ~6 nm) to triangular nanoprisms (bisector length ~100 nm). We used a simple direct chemical reduction method and provided evidences for the growth of silver nanoprisms via a coalescence process. Unlike previous reports, our method does not rely upon light, heat, or strong oxidant for the shape transformation. This transformation could be launched by fine-tuning the pH value of the silver colloidal solution. Based on our extensive examination using transmission electron microscopy, we propose a non-point initiated growth mechanism, which is a combination of coalescence and dissolution-recrystallization process during the growth of silver nanoprisms.
authors: Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. pyngyu@gate.sinica.edu.tw.
authors: Pyng
authors: P
authors: Yu
authors: Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Huang
authors: Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. jautang@gate.sinica.edu.tw.
authors: Jau
authors: J
authors: Tang
keywords: Cluster fusion; Coalescence; Recrystallization; Self-assembly; Silver nanoprisms