Seeded growth route to noble metal nanostructures

Abstract

Seeded growth is a versatile solution-phase synthesis route to noble metal nanostructures. As the structure and concentration of the seeds as well as their growth kinetics can be manipulated independently, it enables convenient and precise control over the size and morphology of the target nanostructures. In this feature article, we summarize our recent progress in developing seeded growth techniques and provide a brief discussion of the principles for the rational design of noble metal nanostructures, emphasizing control over the reaction kinetics, the properties of the seed, the reduction potential of the involved reactive species, and the effect of spatial confinement imposed on the growth, for creating novel functional nanomaterials with well-defined sizes, structures, and properties.