One-Step Synthesis of Au Nanoplates with the Assistance of Formaldehyde

Abstract

Abstract In this work, a facile method has been developed to fabricate Au nanoplates in one step through heating formaldehyde and HAuCl4 aqueous solution. The obtained Au nanoplates are single crystal with an average edge length of approximately 160 nm. And the formation of plate-like Au nanostructures is because of the adsorption of formaldehyde on the surfaces of Au nanostructures, leading to a similar surface energy of {111} and {100} facets.