Dumbbell-shaped or flower-shaped nanoparticles and a process of forming the same, wherein the process comprises forming a mixture of a nanoparticle with a precursor in a first solvent, wherein the nanoparticle comprises a hydrophobic outer coating; heating the mixture; cooling the mixture to room temperature;...http://www.google.de/patents/US7766993?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7766993 - Dumbbell-like nanoparticles and a process of forming the same
