Quantification of electron transfer rates of different facets on single gold nanoparticles during catalytic reactions

Rayleigh scattering spectra of high-index {730} elongated tetrahexahedral gold nanoparticles and low-index {100}, {110}, and {111} gold nanorods were collected in real time in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. The high-index facets are capable of accepting electrons seven times faster and emitting electrons two-and-a-half times faster than low-index facets.