Colloidal gold nanorods: from reduction to growth

Formation of gold nanorods(NRs) in controlled reduction condition was investigated. Gold NRs were synthesized by seed mediated method where pre-made gold nanospheres were added to a growth solution containing surfactants, reducing agent and compound of gold ion and surfactant. ~ Reduction mechanism was manipulated by changing catalytic activity of seed. Seed of different size and capping agent coverage led to different dispersity of NRs since seed plays a role as catalyst as well as nucleation site. The difference between the redox potentials of gold species and reducing agent($\Delta $E) was controlled by the strength of reducing agent and the stability of the gold compound. As $\Delta $E leading to changing the morphology of resulting gold NRs. The surface of gold NRs with a series of aspect ratio was functionalized by thiolated beta cyclodextrin which binds preferentially to the end of NRs and promotes the orientation of rod-rod pair even without host-guest interaction.