A study of the galvanic replacement reaction at surfaces and the role of lateral charge propagation

► Lateral charge propagation influences galvanic replacement reactions. ► Deposition of metal both at and around isolated surface bound sacrificial structures. ► Galvanic replacement of continuous films affected by rate of lateral charge propagation. ► Decoration of isolated cube like Au nanoparticles on copper can be changed to porous rough like morphology through inhibition of lateral charge propagation.