Polyhedral gold nanocrystals with [O.sub.h] symmetry: From octahedra to cubes

Polyhedral gold nanocrystals with [O.sub.h] symmetry are synthesized by a modified polyol process in refluxing 1,5-pentanediol (PD). The selective growth conditions are extended to the synthesis of anisotropic nanocrystals, such as rods, wires and branched structures, displaying intriguing optical properties for biomedical applications.