(102a) Electrochemical Fabrication of Organic Nanorods On Nanoparticle-Decorated Electrode

Our previous studies have shown that nanoparticles are capable of nucleating and confining organic crystallization into nanorods based on seed-mediated nucleation. This unique mechanism promises a versatile, room-temperature, solution-based process to the manufacturing of organic nanorods. This presentation describes electrochemical deposition of gold nanoparticles on graphite electrode and their use as a confinement medium for electrochemical crystallization of tetrathiafulvalene bromide charge transfer salt (TTF) nanorods and partially oxidized potassium tetracyanoplatinate sesquihydrate (TCP) nanorods. Cyclic voltammetry, AFM, and SEM are used to characterize the nanostructure. The size, shape, and particle density of gold nanoparticles are varied by gold salt concentration, applied overpotential, and deposition time. The nanoparticle-decorated graphite electrode is used for the synthesis of TTF and TCP nanorods. Both compounds show a preferred nucleation on the gold nanoparticle and a confined nanorod growth as compared to the crystals formed on bulk graphite electrode. The results contribute to the understanding of seed-mediated nucleation and manufacturing of nanomaterials.