Oxygen-assisted shape control in polyol synthesis of silver nanocrystals

We have found that the shape of silver nanocrystals is conveniently controlled by injection of oxygen gas during the polyol reduction of silver ions. The presence of oxygen effectively promotes the oxidative etching of multiple twined particles. Adjusting the flow rate of the oxygen gas yields uniformly-sized silver nanocubes, right bipyramids, nanowires, and spherical nanoparticles depending on the injection rate of the oxygen gas. Electron diffraction and high resolution TEM observations of the synthesized nanocrystals show our nanocrystals do consist of silver, not of silver oxide. SERS activities of the synthesized nanocrystals were also examined.