Morphology-selective synthesis of polyhedral gold nanoparticles: What factors control the size and morphology of gold nanoparticles in a wet-chemical process

Polyhedral gold nanoparticles below 100 nm in size were fabricated by continuously delivered HAuCl4 and PVP starting solutions into l-ascorbic acid aqueous solution in the presence of gold seeds, and under addition of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). By continuously delivered PVP and HAuCl4 starting solutions in the presence of gold seed, the size and shape of polyhedral gold were achieved in relatively good uniformity (particle size distribution = 65–95 nm). Morphological evolution was also attempted using different growth rates of crystal facets with increasing reaction temperature, and selective adsorption of PVP.

Graphical abstractThe present study found that polyhedral gold nanoparticles with nanosizes below 100 nm can be synthesized by a wet-chemical route, carried out by the continuous addition of the HAuCl4 and PVP solutions into l-ascorbic acid aqueous solution at a relatively low temperature of 60 °C.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide