Facile synthesis of hybrid nanostructures from nanoparticles, nanorods and nanowires

We show the anisotropic selective growth of gold particles onto various nanomaterials to form heterodimers, tadpole-like and necklace-like hybrid structures via simple nucleation. The morphology of these hybrid nanostructures can be easily controlled. Necklace-like Pt–Au nanostructures demonstrated high stabilities as electrocatalysts for oxygen-reduction reaction.