Two-dimensional metallic nanoparticles possess interesting properties due to their unique anisotropic microstructures. While these properties may lead to performance improvements in many applications, the challenges in their synthesis, such as multi-step reactions and the use of structure-directing agents, have largely hampered their studies.

Taewook Kang and colleagues at Sogang University, Seoul, Korea, found a way to simplify the process of making 2D gold nanoparticles by taking advantage of the 2D immiscible interface between oleic acid and water. Under the special diffusion-controlled growth conditions at the interface, gold nucleates into small clusters, and grows into nanoparticles with a size range of about 50 – 120 nm through directed branching.

This new approach to 2D gold nanoparticles shows very fast reaction times at room temperature and has no need of any additive to guide the growth process. While it is likely to enable the synthesis of 2D gold nanoparticles at low cost with high reproducibility, the method is also readily applicable for other 2D metallic nanoparticles.

• Two-dimensional Hyper-branched Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized on a Two-dimensional Oil/Water Interface,
  Yonghee Shin, Chiwon Lee, Myung-Seok Yang, Sunil Jeong, Dongchul Kim, Taewook Kang,
  Sci. Rep. 2014.
  DOI: 10.1038/srep06119