Stepwise evolution of Au micro/nanocrystals from an octahedron into a truncated ditetragonal prism.

Shape transformation of Au crystals from a {111}-bounded octahedron to a {730}-bounded tetrahexahedron (THH) and then to a {310}-bounded truncated ditetragonal prism (TDP) was achieved by a one pot synthesis method. The transformation of the crystal morphology is the result of the synergistic effect of Ag+ and O2/Cl-. This work not only provides a way to prepare high-index faceted Au micro/nanocrystals, but also provides new insights into the crystal growth habit.