Nanoscale multi-component heterostructures present a rich array of compositional and structural variations that can be adjusted synthetically to impart tailored physical properties. However, a poor understanding of the mechanisms underlying many of the syntheses used to prepare such materials stymies progress towards development of new materials with prescribed multi-component structures. Herein, we describe the synthesis of nanoscale anisotropic nanoparticles through site-selective reduction of silver halide intermediates. AgBr intermediates were prepared in high yield and subsequently reduced using an activated reductant and ultra-violet light to form Ag|AgBr nanodimers as stable colloidal suspensions. The Ag and AgBr components are joined at an atomically sharp interface assigned to the materials’ mutual [111] plane. Absorption spectra of the Ag|AgBr nanodimers reveal a peak at 380 nm that can be ascribed to the surface plasmon resonance of the Ag component and a broad shoulder extending to ~700 nm. We identify ongoing studies that use this synthetic platform for the synthesis of more complex multi-component structures and bi-metallic nanoalloys. Notably, we interrogate the origin of selective structural symmetry breaking and structure evolution during synthesis of nanodimers from metal halide intermediates.

Synthesis of multi-component nanostructures through controlled structural symmetry breaking of silver-halide intermediates

2019 Spring National Meeting

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