Can Polymorphism be Used to form Branched Metal Nanostructures?

Abstract

Branched metal nanostructures are of great technological importance because of their unique size- and shape-dependent properties. A kinetically controlled synthesis that uses polymorphism to produce branched nickel nanoparticles is presented. These nanoparticles consist of a face-centred cubic (fcc) core and extended arms of alternating fcc and hexagonal close-packed (hcp) nickel phases.

X-ray scattering characterisation of nanoparticles

“…A mixture of hcp and fcc structures was observed in monometallic Ni-branched particles by LaGrow et al [142] In this case, fcc Ni-truncated octahedral nanoparticles exhibited preferential branched growth from the {111} facets. These branches showed a high concentration of stacking faults in TEM and the emergence of diffraction peaks in X-ray and electron diffraction corresponding to an hcp-like structure.…”

A polymorphic lanthanide complex as selective Co2+ sensor and luminescent timer

“…It follows that the design, separation and application of polymorphism are very important [9]. Thus, Yoshida reported the reaction and separation of two Cd(II) polymorphisms by changing reactant ratio [10]; Zhang found one-dimensional Cd(II) complex polymorphisms by hydrothermal reaction [11]; Zhang and Chen also found three unusual packing polymorphism in one-pot reaction [12].…”

Calculation of effective electromagnetic parameters of multi-needle zinc oxide whisker based on equivalent spherical particle and strong fluctuation theory

“…There are two kinds of tetrapod-needle nanostructures, consist of 3D tetrapod and planar tetrapod. 15,62 Because its needle-like arms is extending symmetrically in 3D space, the 3D tetrapod nanostructure, like T-ZnOw, has better 3D isotropic property than the planar tetrapod nanostructure. At the same time, as the most classic particle model, the perfect 3D isotropic property makes the electromagnetic responses of the spherical model independent with angle of incident wave.…”