Controlled Synthesis of Au Nanoparticles by Modified Polyol Methods: Determination of Their Size, Shape, and Crystal Structure

We successfully prepared Au nanoparticles using the modified polyol methods and design of experiments. The desirable crystal structure and particle size of Au nanoparticles with various kinds of polyhedral and spherical shapes as well as various kinds of their morphologies or complete and rough spherical crystal surfaces were experimentally predicted in TEM and XRD measurements according to the theoretical calculation and data. The fine crystal formation of Au nanostructures by modified polyol methods with EG, PVP, and NaBH4 is of great importance to their practical applications. Our research shows that the critical nucleation, growth, and formation of sizes, shapes, and morphologies of Au nanoparticles were experimentally discussed in modified polyol methods and design of experiments. In this context, our particle size calculation can hold the greatest attraction for researchers in the field of nanoparticles.