Different shapes (nanosphere or nanorod) of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) were synthesized with and without ultrasonic irradiation in the presence of citric acid. Spherical-shaped and rod-shaped Au-NPs showed different surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption bands. The Au-NRs with different shapes were immobilized on a monolayer of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) coated on an indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode. The potential dependence of the SPR band of different shaped Au-NPs in an aqueous solution was explored. The SPR band and intensity changes of the Au-NPs were found to depend on the applied potential. The spherical-shaped and rod-shaped Au-NPs showed different SPR absorption behaviors when potential was applied. These behavior changes were interpreted as the result of the potential-induced changes of the local dielectric environment around the nanoparticles due to molecular absorption/desorption and the charging/discharging of the particles. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.