Synthesis of perfect silver nanocubes by a simple polyol process

In this work, we report on silver nanocubes with perfect shape prepared by a simple poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-directed polyol synthesis process. The effects of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)/AgNO3ratio R and reaction temperature T on the morphology and size of the products were investigated. Ag nanocubes with an average edge length of 230 nm were obtained successfully with sharp edges and corners under a precise synthesis condition of R = 1 and T = 150 °C. The optical properties of Ag nanocubes show an attractive plasma resonance red-shift with size in a wide spectra region. The growth mechanism of the Ag nanocubes is proposed to be thermodynamically and kinetically controlled.