Synthesis of gold nano-plates by mercaptide thermolysis in poly(vinyl acetate)

Triangular gold nano-plates have been synthesized by thermal decomposition of Au(I) dodecyl-mercaptide (i.e., AuSC12H25) dissolved in poly(vinyl acetate). Such special shape was achieved because of the ability of polymer side-groups (i.e., the acetate groups) to be selectively absorbed on the most acid faces of the growing gold nanocrystals, thus inhibiting crystal development along these crystallographic directions. Nano-plates had an average adge length of ca. 30nm and a thickness of a few nanometers.