Aqueous‐Phase Synthesis of Single‐Crystal Pd Seeds 3 nm in Diameter and Their Use for the Growth of Pd Nanocrystals with Different Shapes

Abstract This article describes an aqueous method for the synthesis of Pd seeds with a single‐crystal structure and a uniform diameter of 3 nm and their use for the growth of Pd nanocrystals with a variety of shapes. We have also investigated the effects of a number of parameters, including the temperature, reducing power of the reductant, and capping agent on the reduction rate of a Pd precursor, and thus the final size, size distribution, and morphology of the Pd seeds. By taking advantage of the coordination effect of Br − ions with Pd 2+ ions and their selective adsorption on the Pd(100) surface, Pd nanocrystals with a number of distinct shapes could be conveniently produced by varying the concentration of KBr added into the growth solution. This work provides a general and facile method for the green synthesis of Pd nanocrystals with controlled shapes, especially for the preparation of Pd nanocrystals with sizes in the sub‐10 nm regime.