Beyond the Concentration Limitation in the Synthesis of Nanobipyramids and Other Pentatwinned Gold Nanostructures

Gold nanoparticles offer unique optoelectronic properties relevant for a wide range of processes and products, in biology and medicine (therapeutic agents, diagnostic, drug delivery), as well as in electronics, photovoltaics, and catalysis. So far, various synthesis methods proposed have led to rather limited concentration and purity of the colloidal suspensions, severely hindering their use. Here, we present a simple and versatile procedure for the synthesis of gold pentatwinned nanostructures, including nanobipyramids based on a seed-mediated growth process that overcomes the concentration limitations of current methods by 2 orders of magnitude. Moreover, our novel process offers quantitative yields while easily allowing a fine control of the particles' shape, size (with a high monodispersity), and plasmonic properties. Finally, we demonstrate large amounts of nanostructures, up to the gram scale, with minimal further applications and industrial developments.