Shape-controlled synthesis of triangular gold nanoprisms using microwave irradiation.

In this report, we described the very fast synthesis of gold nanoprisms under microwave heating for 60-90 s in the presence of 2-naphthol (2-N) as a new reducing agent. The growth of the particles with different shapes (spherical, polygonal or triangular/prisms etc.) were found to be functions of the surfactant-to-metal-ion molar ratio and the concentration of 2-N. The evolved nanoprisms were approximately 110 +/- 10 nm in diameter and the particles size and shape was successfully tuned just by varying the molar ratio of the reactants. This process can be extended to the synthesis of other nonmaterial with desired sizes and shapes. The method we generated might find variety of application in many areas such as catalysis, clinical and diagnostic medicine, and nanoelectronics.