Self‐Heating Approach to the Fast Production of Uniform Metal Nanostructures

Abstract Heat released from the exothermic reaction between amine (R‐NH₂) and carboxylic acid (R′‐COOH) was systematically utilized to prepare noble metal nanocrystals (NCs) of various shapes in the presence of carbon monoxide (CO). The heating profile of the solution mixtures was controllable by adjusting both the type and ratio of these two kinds of molecules. A maximum heating rate of 20 °C s⁻¹ was achieved. Uniform gold nanowires and nanoparticles were produced by tuning the molar ratio between carboxylic acid and oleylamine (OAm). In addition, concave tetrahedral palladium nanocrystals were also produced. This self‐heating method is highly versatile for making a variety of metal nanostructures. It represents a new, potentially scalable and extremely fast production route of metal nanostructures. This novel production route arises from the unique manner in which homogeneous heat releases from ligand‐based chemical reactions.