Growth mechanism of anisotropic gold nanocrystals via microwave synthesis: formation of dioleamide by gold nanocatalysis.

A facile and fast one-pot microwave irradiation method has been developed to prepare different shapes of gold nanoparticles capped with a mixture of oleylamine and oleic acid. The size, shape, and morphology of the nanocrystals could be tailored by varying the ratio of oleylamine to oleic acid, the microwave time, and the concentration of the gold ions. These effects are directly reflected in the surface plasmon resonance properties of the resulting nanocrystals in the visible and near-infrared regions. Pure amine leads to the formation of only spherical particles. Introducing oleic acid increases the growth rate and enhances the formation of anisotropic shapes. Experimental evidence and new insights on the reaction mechanism confirm the formation of dioleamide from the reaction of oleic acid and oleylamine catalyzed by the gold nanocrystals. In the absence of gold nanoparticles, the conventional synthesis of dioleamide requires 12 h of reaction time at 120 degrees C. New insights on the reaction mechanism indicate that excess oleic acid enhances the formation of hexagons and more anisotropic shapes of the gold nanocrystals.