Correlation between Spectroscopic and Mechanical Properties of Gold Nanocrystals under Pressure

The effects of nonhydrostatic pressure on the morphology and stability gold nanorods (AuNRs) nanospheres (AuNSs) in 4:1 methanol–ethanol mixtures were studied by optical absorption spectroscopy transmission electron microscopy at pressures up to 23 30 GPa, respectively. Solvent solidification associated stresses found have a negligible effect shape size AuNSs. On contrary, while AuNRs maintained their initial hydrostatic range, uniaxial stress component induced under conditions had shearing AuNRs, breaking them into smaller particles. Interestingly, colloidal was all cases, particles showed no sign aggregation, despite severe which both AuNR AuNS colloids subjected.