Can polymorphism be used to form branched metal nanostructures?

LaGrow, Alec P; Cheong, Soshan; Watt, John; Ingham, Bridget; Toney, Michael F; Jefferson, David A; Tilley, Richard D · Adv Mater · 2013

basic_science · Level V

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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.