(759c) Confined Electrochemical Crystallization of Nanorods On Gold Nanoparticles

Integration of nano-components with spatial control and multi-functionalities remains a challenge in nano-manufacturing. Our previous work has demonstrated that thiolate-protected CdSe, CdS, and Au nanoparticles are capable of disrupting the 2-D crystalline structure of n-carboxylic acids and promoting confined nanorod crystallization on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The confined growth of n-carboxylic acids nanorods is imposed by the high curvature of the nanoparticles as nucleation seeds. In this work, we use electrochemically deposited Au nanoparticles as seeds to nucleate and confine the electrochemical crystallization of organic semiconductors or conductors such as tetrathiafulvalene charge transfer salt (TTF) and partially oxidized potassium tetracyanoplatinate sesquihydrate (TCP) on HOPG. The particle/rod structure on HOPG is characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), AFM, and SEM. The size and density of deposited Au nanoparticles on HOPG are controlled by the precursor ion concentration, applied potential, and deposition time. The formation of particle/rod structure is found to be dependent on Au nanoparticle morphology and crystallization conditions. The results contribute to the fundamental understanding of seed-mediated nucleation and a novel strategy to manufacture organic nanorods at ambient conditions.