Green and controlled synthesis of gold and platinum nanomaterials using vitamin B2: density-assisted self-assembly of nanospheres, wires and rods

For the first time, we report efficient density-assisted self-assembly synthesis of gold and platinum nanospheres, nanowires and nanorods using vitamin B2 (riboflavin) at room temperature without employing any special capping or dispersing agent; this environmentally benign and general approach affords a facile entry to production of shape-selective Au and Pt noble nanostructures, which can be extended to silver and palladium nanostructures.