Synthesis of triangular gold nanoplates: Role of bromide ion and temperature

Synthesis of noble metal triangular nanoplates is a kinetically controlled process in which temperature and packing defects play a major role. Nucleation and growth process of kinetically controlled reaction can be greatly influenced by temperature affecting the yield and edge length of the triangles. Through a conventional batch mode process, here we study the effect of temperature on nucleation and growth of gold triangular nanoplates and obtain some insight of the temperature effects on the final yield and edge length of triangles. The role of Br− ions in the synthesis of triangular nanoplates is studied by varying the amount of CTAB and by replacing the CTAB with HBr. The results show that, while CTAB controls the edge length and yield of triangles, its use is not mandatory to attain plate like morphology. Finally we show that, while the initial temperature of the reaction mixture governs the nucleation rate and the rate of temperature rise governs the growth rate of particles, they along with the concentration of Br− ions control the edge length and yield.