Two-dimensional active surface growth of Ag nanoplates

A two-dimensional active surface growth was observed for Ag nanoplates under strong ligand control. Distinctively different from the conventional growth modes, the Ag nanoplates showed random shapes despite their flat top and bottom (111) facets. Hence, there is a combination of facet control, judging from the flat nanoplates, with the active surface growth mode, judging from the highly variable side facets with unmistakable signs of inequivalent growth for the initially equivalent side facets. The formation of the segmented Ag nanoplate and the appearance of a “tail” at the end of the nanostructure indicate multiple levels of symmetry breaking and gradually focused growth at each step, likely a result of the dynamic interplay between ligand adsorption and materials deposition. We believe that this partial active surface growth with facet control provides a new strategy for colloidal nanosynthesis, opening possibilities for future synthetic designs.