Facile synthesis of AgAu alloy and core/shell nanocrystals by using Ag nanocrystals as seeds

Weiwei Xu, Jinzhong Niu, Hangying Shang, Huaibin Shen, Lan Ma, Lin Song Li

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)19-23
Number of pages5
JournalGold Bulletin
Volume46
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2013

Keywords

  • Alloys
  • Core/shell
  • Metallic composites
  • Nanocrystals
  • Seeds size

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Inorganic Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Facile synthesis of AgAu alloy and core/shell nanocrystals by using Ag nanocrystals as seeds'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this