Additive-controlled synthesis of monodisperse single crystalline gold nanoparticles: interplay of shape and surface plasmon resonance

We introduce a three-step seed-mediated synthesis for single crystalline gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) stabilized by hexadecylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in variable sizes with an independently adjustable ratio of the cubic and octahedral facets. The effect of KBr and ascorbic acid (AA) on shape and growth kinetics is systematically investigated. The kinetic data were evaluated using the minimalistic Finke–Watzky autocatalytic two-step mechanism, which allows to estimate the rate constants of the “pseudoelementary” reactions. The proposed surface-mediated mechanism of reduction of gold ions and Au NP growth allows to explain the effect of gradual increase of bromide ion concentration on switching the Au NP morphology from cubic to octahedral. The plasmonic properties of single particles of different facetings and their assemblies are investigated.