Shape‐Controlled Synthesis of Metal Nanostructures: The Case of Palladium

Abstract

This article features shape‐controlled synthesis of Pd nanostructures. Similar to the Ag system, both the crystallinity of seeds and the growth rates of different crystallographic facets play a vital role in determining the final shape of a resultant nanostructure. We specifically discuss how the reduction rate can be controlled to maneuver the crystallinity (i.e., single‐crystal, single twinned, and multiple twinned) of seeds in the nucleation stage. The distribution of multiple twinned and single‐crystal seeds can be further manipulated by employing oxidative etching. As the seed grows into a nanocrystal, the growth rates of different facets (e.g., {111} versus {100}) can be altered with capping agents to control the final shape. The ability to generate Pd nanostructures with a variety of geometrical shapes provides a great opportunity to systematically evaluate their electrical, plasmonic, and catalytic properties, as well as to fully explore their applications.