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Colloidal heterostructured nanoparticles that integrate multiple materials through direct solid–solid interfaces are desirable across a wide range of applications. However, chemical, structural, in...

Interfaces between nanoscale solids can facilitate coupling between dissimilar materials, leading to emergent and synergistic properties as well as mix-and-match multifunctionality. Seeded-growth methods, whereby one material is grown directly off of the surface of another, can lead to the formation of hybrid nanoparticles containing such solid-state heterojunctions. Successfully applying seeded-growth methods to the synthesis of hybrid nanoparticles, however, requires a precise balance of competing reaction variables, which limits the scope of materials that can be routinely incorporated into them and, accordingly, the types of achievable interfaces. Here, we describe an alternate pathway that overcomes key limitations of seeded-growth methods by synthetically deconvoluting the formation of particle–particle interfaces and the incorporation of desired materials components. Readily accessible hybrid nanoparticles can be rationally modified using sequential anion and cation exchange reactions which transfo...

Colloidal hybrid nanoparticles integrate two or more nanocrystal domains into a single architecture that can have properties not found in, or enhanced relative to those of, the individual components. These hybrid nanomaterials are typically constructed using multistep seeded-growth reaction sequences, which are conceptually analogous to the total synthesis approaches used in molecular synthesis. Here, we discuss in detail the synthetic protocols that lead to the formation of three-component Ag–Pt–Fe3O4 and Au–Pt–Fe3O4 heterotrimers. These instructive model systems highlight the important synthetic details that underpin successful hybrid nanoparticle reactions. We provide detailed, step-by-step protocols for generating these materials, focusing on describing and rationalizing the key reaction parameters that need to be rigorously controlled to minimize unwanted nanoparticle byproducts. The importance of comprehensive analysis using a suite of materials characterization tools is highlighted, as such efforts...