Structural studies of trigonal lamellar particles of gold and silver

The results of detailed structural studies of trigonal lamellar particles of both gold and silver are presented. The particles have been characterized both in sol by means of optical spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction and ex sol using high resolution electron microscopy in both plan view and profile imaging modes. The results of these studies have indicated that the particles have a trigonal outline and are shortened along a ≺111≻ direction to give a plate-like morphology. The presence of small numbers of parallel {111} twin planes has also been confirmed and used to explain the presence of the formally forbidden ⅓{422} reflections observed in plan view. The precise structural requirements for the observation of such reflections has also been confirmed using multislice calculations. Possible growth mechanisms for these particles are also discussed.