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Size and shape control in the overgrowth of gold nanorods

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Abstract

We report on a new sustainable approach to manipulate the optical behaviour and geometrical properties of gold nanorods in aqueous solutions by fine control of their overgrowth. In our approach, the overgrowth is realized by modulation of the reduction of the gold ions which are left as Au1+ after the primary step of the synthesis (typically as much as ~80% of the gold ions available in the growth solution). The progress of the reduction requires the gradual addition of ascorbic acid, which transforms the Au1+ into Au0 and may be performed in the original growth solution with no need for any further manipulation. By control of the total amount and rate of administration of the ascorbic acid, we prove the possibility to realize a systematic modulation of the average lengths, diameters, shapes (rod or dog-bone like), and light extinction of the nanoparticles. A slow overgrowth leads to a gradual enlargement of the lengths and diameters at almost constant shape. In contrast, a faster overgrowth results into a more complex modification of the overall shape of the gold nanorods.

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Abbreviations

NIR:

Near infrared

AA:

Ascorbic acid

CTAB:

Cetrimonium bromide

TEM:

Transmission electron microscope

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Fisica Applicata “Nello Carrara”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Madonna del Piano, 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy

    Fulvio Ratto, Paolo Matteini, Francesca Rossi & Roberto Pini

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  1. Fulvio Ratto
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  2. Paolo Matteini
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  3. Francesca Rossi
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  4. Roberto Pini
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Correspondence to Roberto Pini.

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Ratto, F., Matteini, P., Rossi, F. et al. Size and shape control in the overgrowth of gold nanorods. J Nanopart Res 12, 2029–2036 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-009-9712-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-009-9712-0

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