Rational Design of Metal Nanoframes for Catalysis and Plasmonics

Recently, metal nanoframes have received increased attention due to their unique spatial and physicochemical, e.g., catalytic and plasmonic properties. So far, a variety of synthetic procedures have been developed to fabricate metal nanoframes with different shapes, sizes and compositions. Typical synthesis of metal nanoframes involves two stages: 1) formation of solid nanocrystals and 2) hollowing out the interiors and side faces. In this review, solution‐phase synthetic strategies are summarized, based on galvanic replacement reactions, oxidative etching, the Kirkendall effect, electrodeposition, and template‐assisted growth, as well as one‐pot synthesis. Their potential applications in catalysis and optical sensing are overviewed as well. Recent progress regarding metal nanoframes with open spatial structures is reviewed. Focusing on synthetic strategies involving galvanic replacement reaction, oxidative etching, the Kirkendall effect, electrodreposition, template‐assisted growth, and one‐pot synthesis, this review offers fundamental insights into the fabrication of metal nanoframes as well as their applications in catalysis and plasmonics.