Biological Routes to Gold Nanoplates

Abstract

Gold nanoplates are promising for optical and electronic applications; but their synthesis is complex, often requiring a seeded growth process or spherical to triangle morphology transformation. We have discovered a biological protocol to promote the anisotropic growth of different crystal planes under ambient conditions. Thin, flat, single-crystalline gold nanoplates were produced when aqueous chloroaurate ions reacted with the mycelia-free spent medium. While the exact mechanism for this shape-controlled synthesis is not clear at this time, the possibility of achieving nanoparticle shape control in a fungal based system is exciting.