Abstract
A facile seed-growth method was developed to synthesize AgAu alloy and core/shell nanocrystals (NCs) using different-sized Ag NCs (6.1, 7.4, and 9.6 nm) as seeds and octadecylamine as the reducing agent, surface ligand, and solvent. Pre-synthesized Ag NCs acted as catalysts for the reduction of Au precursors at 130 °C. Transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and optical absorption spectroscopy were used to characterize as-synthesized NCs. Spherical AgAu alloy NCs were obtained when pre-synthesized 6.1 and 7.4 nm Ag NCs were used as seeds. While, if 9.6 nm Ag NCs were used as seeds, cubic Ag/Au core/shell NCs were finally obtained. The shapes and structures of AgAu NCs are related to the Ag seed sizes and the growth mechanism of alloy and core/shell NCs is discussed in detail. Different reaction temperatures were tested to optimize the synthesis of AgAu alloy NCs, and it was found that the optimum reaction temperature for the growth of AgAu alloy NCs is 130 °C.
Highlights
Silver and gold nanocrystals (NCs) have attracted great attention due to their special optical [1], electronic [2], and catalytic [3] properties
We report the seed size-dependent growth of different-shaped AgAu alloy and core/shell NCs by an organic solvothermal method
When 6.1 and 7.4 nm Ag NCs were used as seeds, spherical AgAu alloy NCs were obtained; while, if 9.6 nm Ag NCs were used as seeds, cubic Ag/Au core/shell NCs were obtained
Summary
Silver and gold nanocrystals (NCs) have attracted great attention due to their special optical [1], electronic [2], and catalytic [3] properties. Large Au NCs with diameter of 80 nm were obtained after the injection of Au precursors (AuPPh3Cl) to ODA solution at 180 °C (see Electronic supplementary material (ESM) Fig. S1).
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