ABSTRACT
The fundamental properties and practical applications of metallic
nanoparticles (MNPs) continue to generate extensive interest in
both academic and industrial settings. The magnetic [1-3], optical
[3-5], and catalytic [6, 7] properties of MNPs with dimensions
below 10 nm display behaviors that can differ greatly from the
corresponding bulk metals, because quantum size confinement
effects become pronounced in such materials [8]. Small MNPs also
exhibit inherently high surface-area-to-volume ratios [9] and are
therefore atom economical for surface-specific applications [10, 11].
The spectroscopic, electronic, and chemical properties of MNPs are
also directly affected by particle morphology, which correlates with
specific surface structure. From an applications standpoint, it has
therefore become important to achieve fine synthetic control over
both the average size and the shape of MNPs.
