Nanocrystals: Tiny seeds make a big difference

A study was to demonstrate a seeded growth approach that provides shape-controlled bimetallic nanocrystals, generating new ways for selecting new nanoscale building blocks. It was demonstrated that semiconductor and oxide nanowires were grown, using metal seeding approach that acted as catalysts. Gold rod growth in solution was also carried out by seeding with small gold particles, while semiconductor rods were grown using semiconductor nanoparticles as seeds. The new approach also used faceted metal nanocrystals as nucleation centers for the overgrowth of a secondary metal. It was also observed that the ability of the new approach to synthesize binary-metal nanoparticles has significant implications for diverse applications in memory devices, electrical contacts, biological applications, and catalysis.