Plasmon hybridization in composite nanostructures with tunable resonances and vertex truncation analysis

SERS detection of uranyl using functionalized gold nanostars promoted by nanoparticle shape and size

The radius of curvature of gold (Au) nanostar tips but not the overall particle dimensions can be used for understanding the large and quantitative surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signal of the uranyl (UO2)(2+) moiety. The engineered roughness of the Au nanostar architecture and the distance between the gold surface and uranyl cations are promoted using carboxylic acid terminated alkanethiols containing 2, 5, and 10 methylene groups. By systematically varying the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) thickness with these molecules, the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectral properties are used to quantify the SAM layer thickness and to promote uranyl coordination to the Au nanostars in neutral aqueous solutions. Successful uranyl detection is demonstrated for all three functionalized Au nanostar samples as indicated by enhanced signals and red-shifts in the symmetric U(vi)-O stretch. Quantitative uranyl detection is achieved by evaluating the integrated area of these bands in the uranyl fingerprint window. By varying the concentration of uranyl, similar free energies of adsorption are observed for the three carboxylic acid terminated functionalized Au nanostar samples indicating similar coordination to uranyl, but the SERS signals scale inversely with the alkanethiol layer thickness. This distance dependence follows previously established models assuming that roughness features associated with the radius of curvature of the tips are considered. These results indicate that SERS signals using functionalized Au nanostar substrates can provide quantitative detection of small molecules and that the tip architecture plays an important role in understanding the resulting SERS intensities.

Nanoporous Au-Ag shell with fast kinetics: integrating chemical and plasmonic catalysis

Nanoporous noble metals and alloys are widely utilized as efficient catalysts, because they have high surface-to-volume ratios for sufficient active sites and induce molecule polarization through plasmon excitation as well. Herein, we demonstrate one approach to fabricate nanoporous Au-Ag shell. Such material represents the dual functions serving as efficient catalysts and high-performance surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate. In situ spectrum acquisition can track the conversion of p-nitrothiophenol to 4, 4'-dimercapto-azobenzene at ambient temperature. In particular, as a result of chemical catalysis of Ag elements and strong plasmon-molecule coupling, catalytic kinetics of nanoporous Au-Ag shell is 79.2-123.8 times faster than Au nanoparticles (NPs), and 2.2-3.3 times faster than Ag NPs. This investigation offers a route to design superior catalysts to integrate chemical and plasmonic catalysis.