Optical Properties and Growth Aspects of Silver Nanoprisms Produced by a Highly Reproducible and Rapid Synthesis at Room Temperature

Abstract

A rapid and readily reproducible seed‐based method for the production of high quality silver nanoprisms in high yield is presented. The edge‐length and the position of the main plasmon resonance of the nanoprisms can be readily controlled through adjustment of reaction conditions. From UV‐vis spectra of solutions of the nanoprisms, the inhomogeneously broadened line width of the in‐plane dipole plasmon resonance is measured and trends in the extent of plasmon damping as a function of plasmon resonance energy and nanoprism size have been elucidated. In addition, an in‐depth analysis of the lamellar defect structure of silver nanoprisms is provided that confirms that the defects can lead to a transformation of the crystal structure in the vicinity of the defects. These defects can combine give rise to lamellar regions, thicker than 1 nm, that extend across the crystal, where the silver atoms are arranged in a continuous hexagonal‐close‐packed (hcp) structure. This hcp structure has a periodicity of 2.50 Å, thus explaining the 2.50 Å lattice fringes that are commonly observed in 〈111〉 oriented flat‐lying nanoprisms. A new understanding of the mechanisms behind anisotropic growth in silver nanoprisms is presented.

Selective synthesis of hexagonal Ag nanoplates in a solution-phase chemical reduction process

“…Therefore the presence of structure defects and kinetic control of growth processes are prerequisites for the preparation of Ag nanoplates [23,[29][30][31]. Due to the high surface energies at the corners of Ag TNPs [32], Ag atoms at the corners easily dissolve and may re-deposit on the edges or flat faces of the nanoplates.…”

The Mixed-Electrode Concept for Understanding Growth and Aggregation Behavior of Metal Nanoparticles in Colloidal Solution

“…Such particles can be generated and stabilized by the influence of polyanionic macromolecules [33]. A ligand-induced removal of these molecules leads to the collapse of the flat particles into compact shape [32].…”

Spectral and spatial tailoring of the luminescence by metallic nanoparticles

“…26). We have prepared two solutions, named as the seed and the growth solutions, and mixed them to grow the seed particles to the size of interest.…”