Multiple small-angle X-ray scattering analyses of the structure of gold nanorods with unique end caps

Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments were carried out on gold nanorods generated by a seed-mediated growth method. Previous transmission electron microscopy observations suggest that the main components of nanoparticles are rod-shaped nanoparticles, but they are contaminated by other different-shaped, large-volume particles. By performing profile fitting of theoretical and experimental scattering curves, we determined and then removed from the obtained SAXS profile, the contribution of the contaminating particles. From the revised SAXS profile, we calculated the distance distribution function by Fourier transform and precisely determined the structural parameters of the nanorods and the structure of the nanorod end caps.