Bimetallic Au@Pd‐Au Tadpole‐Shaped Asymmetric Nanostructures by a Combination of Precursor Reduction and Ostwald Ripening

Abstract

AbstractBimetallic and asymmetric heterostructures represent an emerging class of nanomaterials. They allow for the combination of distinct compositions, shapes, and physicochemical features within a single particle, thus leading to intriguing properties. We demonstrate herein the synthesis of asymmetric Au@Pd‐Au tadpoles having a tail comprising a single Au nanorod and a spherical head composed of core@shell Au@Pd decorated with small Au NPs. This material was produced by a combination of Au deposition and Ostwald ripening at the surface of Au@Pd core‐shell NPs. The overall morphology could be tailored both by controlling the amount of AuCl4− employed as precursor and by altering the reaction time, leading to shape‐dependent optical and catalytic properties. We believe that these results may have important implications for the synthesis nanomaterials having novel morphologies and complex functionalities that can combine properties from their different components.