An unconventional role of ligand in continuously tuning of metal–metal interfacial strain

Abstract

We show that embedding of a surface ligand can dramatically affect the metal–metal interfacial energy, making it possible to create nanostructures in defiance of traditional wisdom. Despite matching Au–Ag lattices, Au–Ag hybrid NPs can be continuously tuned from concentric core–shell, eccentric core–shell, acorn, to dimer structures. This method can be extended to tune even Au–Au and Ag–Ag interfaces.