One-step synthesis of large-aspect-ratio single-crystalline gold nanorods by using CTPAB and CTBAB surfactants

Gold nanorods were prepared in high yields by using a one-step seed-mediated process in aqueous cetyltripropylammonium bromide (CTPAB) and cetyltributylammonium bromide (CTBAB) solutions in the presence of silver nitrate. The diameters of the nanorods range from 3 to 11 nm, their lengths are in the range of 15 to 350 nm, and their aspect ratios are in the range of 2 to 70. The diameters of the Au nanorods obtained from one growth batch in CTPAB solutions decrease as their lengths increase, and their volumes decrease as the aspect ratios increase. The diameters of the Au nanorods obtained from one growth batch in CTBAB solutions first decrease and then slightly increase as their lengths increase, and their volumes increase as the aspect ratios increase. These Au nanorods are single-crystalline and are seen to be oriented in either the 100] or 110] direction under transmission electron microscopy imaging, irrespective of their sizes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the preparation by using wet-chemistry methods of single-crystalline Au nanorods with aspect ratios larger than 15.