Monitoring the shape evolution of Pd nanocubes to octahedra by PdS frame markers.

We report the use of compounds formed on the surface of nanocrystals as markers to effectively monitor the shape evolution during nanocrystal growth. By labelling the corners and edges of cubic Pd seeds with PdS through sulfuration, we obtain clear insight into their shape transition to octahedra. This work significantly expands the scope of the marker technique for studying nanoparticle shape evolution.