In this paper we examine the effect of solvent on the optical extinction spectrum of periodic arrays of surfaceconfined silver nanoparticles fabricated by nanosphere lithography (NSL). By use of NSL, it is possible to systematically vary the out-of-plane height of the nanoparticles, and by thermal annealing, we can control the nanoparticle shape. We have studied four separate samples of nanopar...

Next-generation 'smart' nanoparticle systems should be precisely engineered in size, shape and composition to introduce multiple functionalities, unattainable from a single material. Bottom-up chemical methods are prized for the synthesis of crystalline nanoparticles, that is, nanocrystals, with size- and shape-dependent physical properties, but they are less successful in achieving multifuncti...

For nanoparticle-based technologies, efficient and rapid approaches that yield particles of high purity with a specific shape and size are critical to optimize the nanostructure-dependent optical, electrical, and magnetic properties, and not bias conclusions due to the existence of impurities. Notwithstanding the continual improvement of chemical methods for shaped nanoparticle synthesis, bypro...

In this work, we reported for the first time, a facile and one step synthesis of gold nanoparticles from HAuCl(4), employing tetraphenylborate as the reducing agent. The synthesis is not only facile but also yields "dumb-bell-shaped"particles. This shape appears to arise from a possible emulsion of the products of oxidation/decomposition of tetraphenylborate by HAuCl(4), surrounding the particl...

Shape fluctuations in nanoparticles strongly influence their stability. Here, we introduce a quantitative model of such shape fluctuations and apply this model to the important case of Pt-shell/transition metal-core nanoparticles. By using a Gibbs distribution for the initial shapes, we find that there is typically enough thermal energy at room temperature to excite random shape fluctuations in...

Benzene hydrogenation was investigated in the presence of a surface monolayer consisting of Pt nanoparticles of different shapes (cubic and cuboctahedral) and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB). Infrared spectroscopy indicated that TTAB binds to the Pt surface through a weak C-H...Pt bond of the alkyl chain. The catalytic selectivity was found to be strongly affected by the nanoparticle...

The interesting magnetic response of conventional ferro-colloid has proved extremely useful in a wide range of technical applications. Furthermore, the use of nano/micro- sized magnetic particles has proliferated cutting-edge medical research, such as drug targeting and hyperthermia. In order to diversify and improve the application of such systems, new avenues of functionality must be explored...

reviews P. Yang et al. Colloidal metal nanoparticles are emerging as key materials for catalysis, plasmonics, sensing, and spectroscopy. Within these applications, control of nanoparticle shape lends increasing functionality and selectivity. Shape-controlled nanocrystals possess well-defined surfaces and morphologies because their nucleation and growth are controlled at the atomic level. An ove...