Plasmonic enhancements of photocatalytic activity of Pt/n-Si/Ag photodiodes using Au/Ag core/shell nanorods

We report the plasmonic enhancement of the photocatalytic properties of Pt/n-Si/Ag photodiode photocatalysts using Au/Ag core/shell nanorods. We show that Au/Ag core/shell nanorods can be synthesized with tunable plasmon resonance frequencies and then conjugated onto Pt/n-Si/Ag photodiodes using well-defined chemistry. Photocatalytic studies showed that the conjugation with Au/Ag core/shell nanorods can significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity by more than a factor of 3. Spectral dependence studies further revealed that the photocatalytic enhancement is strongly correlated with the plasmonic absorption spectra of the Au/Ag core/shell nanorods, unambiguously demonstrating the plasmonic enhancement effect.     

Interfacial deposition of Ag on Au seeds leading to AucoreAgshell in organic media

A seed mediated procedure for the synthesis of hydrophobic Au(core)Ag(shell) nanoparticles in toluene is demonstrated. The reaction proceeds by way of the interfacial reduction of silver ions by 3-pentadecylphenol followed by their deposition on hydrophobized Au nanoparticles. Such a hitherto unreported interfacial seeded growth reaction leads to the formation of phase pure Au(core)Ag(shell) nanoparticles that retain the hydrophobicity of the seed particles and remain stable in toluene. Such core-shell structures are however not formed in the aqueous phase. The core-shell architecture was verified using TEM analysis and the formation process was studied by recording the UV-vis spectra of the organic phase nanoparticles as a function of time. TEM kinetics also showed gradual increase in the silver layer thickness. Conclusive evidence was however obtained on examination of the HRTEM images of the products formed. Elemental analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the Au(core)Ag(shell) nanostructure revealed the presence of metallic silver. Moreover changing the surface capping of the Au seed does not affect the formation of the Au(core)Ag(shell) nanostructure.     

Combining optical lithography with rapid microwave heating for the selective growth of Au/Ag bimetallic core/shell structures on patterned silicon wafers

We demonstrate a novel approach for the production of patterned films of nanometer-sized Au/Ag bimetallic core/shell nanoparticles (NPs) on silicon wafers. In this approach, we first self-assembled monodisperse Au NPs, through specific Au...NH(2) interactions, onto a silicon substrate whose surface had been modified with a pattern of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) groups to form a sandwich structure having the form Au NPs/APTMS/SiO(2). These Au NPs then served as seeds for growing the Au/Ag bimetallic core/shell NPs: we reduced silver ions to Ag metal on the surface of Au seeds under rapid microwave heating in the presence of sodium citrate. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed that the Au/Ag bimetallic core/shell NPs grew selectively on the regions of the surface of the silicon wafer that had been patterned with the Au seeds. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that we could synthesize well-scattered, high-density (>82%) thin films of Au/Ag bimetallic core/shell NPs through the use of this novel strategy. The patterned structures that can be formed are simple to produce, easily controllable, and highly reproducible; we believe that this approach will be useful for further studies of nanodevices and their properties.     

DNA-embedded Au/Ag core-shell nanoparticles

Here, we synthesized highly stable DNA-embedded Au/Ag core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) by a straightforward silver-staining of DNA-modified Au nanoparticles (AuNPs); unlike conventional DNA-surface modified NPs that present particle stability issues, DNA-embedded core-shell NPs offer an extraordinary stability with nanoscale controllability of silver shell thickness; these DNA-embedded core-shell NPs show excellent biorecognition properties and Ag shell-thickness-based optical properties, distinctively different from those of a mixture of AuNPs and AgNPs or Ag/Au alloy nanoparticles.     

Au/Ag核-壳结构纳米粒子的制备及其SERS效应

随着大量有关表面增强拉曼散射 (SERS)的实验和理论研究的开展 ,金属纳米粒子作为一类重要的 SERS增强介质 ,已引起了人们浓厚的研究兴趣 [1] .而 Au和 Ag作为最常用的活性基底物质 ,更是研究的热点 [2 ,3 ] .最近 ,美国印第安那大学的 Nie等 [4 ] 在单个银纳米粒子上 ,观察到高达 1 0 14 ～ 1 0 15的SERS因子 .同时 ,他们的另外一项工作表明银纳米粒子的形状和大小对 SERS活性有很大影响 [5] .但是 ,由于 Ag溶胶制备的重复性较差 ,且粒度分布不均匀 ,通过控制银颗粒大小而调控 SERS活性是相当困难的[6] .与 Ag相比 ,Au在可见光…     

Au/Ag核一壳结构复合纳米粒子形成机制的研究

在已制备好的Au纳米粒子表面,通过化学还原的方法沉积生长Ag包覆层,通过 控制Au, Ag的比列,制备了粒度均匀且粒径可控的Au/Ag核-壳结构纳米粒子。利用 UV-vis吸收光谱和透射电子显微镜（TEM）对SAu, Ag摩尔比为1：10的复合纳米粒 子的光学性质和形态进行随时监测,直接观察了核-壳结构纳米粒子的生长过程： 一部分Ag+在Au核表面还原生长,溶液中其余Ag+还原形成银的纳米团簇向粒子表面 的继续沉积生长,壳层增厚。     

(Au)核(Ag)壳纳米微粒光度法快速检测过氧化氢

以粒径为10 nm的纳米金为晶种, 用柠檬酸钠还原硝酸银制备了平均粒径为30 nm的(Au)核(Ag)壳纳米微粒, 用高速离心纯化除去过量的柠檬酸三钠获得了较纯的(Au)核(Ag)壳纳米微粒, 其吸收峰位于393 nm处. 在pH 4.4的HAc-NaAc缓冲溶液中, Fenton反应产生的羟基自由基可以氧化(Au)核(Ag)壳纳米微粒银层生成银离子, 导致393 nm处的吸光度降低. H2O2的浓度(c)在6.58～421.1 μmol/L范围内与393 nm处的吸光度降低值ΔA 393 nm呈良好的线性关系, 回归方程为ΔA393 nm=0.00111c+0.0210, 相关系数为0.9908, 检出限为1.73 μmol/L. 本方法用于废水样品测定, 结果满意.     

Synthesis of Ag/Polypyrrole Core-Shell Nanospheres by a Seeding Method

Ag/polypyrrole (PPy) core‐shell nanospheres were fabricated through the redox reaction between pyrrole monomer and silver nitrate in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and by using the Ag colloidal nanoparticles acting as the seedings. The prepared nanospheres with a shell thickness of 10–12 nm and a core diameter of 20–40 nm are uniform in size and well dispersed. The morphologies, compositions, and electrochemical activities of Ag/PPy composites were characterized by TEM, XRD, FTIR, TGA and CV. The synthetic route employed here is gentle and can be extended to prepare other conducting polymer/inorganic nanocomposites.     

Silica-coated Au/Ag nanorods with tunable surface plasmon bands for nanoplasmonics with single particles

We present the synthesis and analysis of silica-coated Au/Ag bimetallic nanorods with controlled surface plasmon bands. Depending on the thickness of Ag shell deposited on the Au nanorod surface, there is a blue-shift on the longitudinal surface plasmon band of Au nanorods, which can be expressed by an approximate formula derived from the absorption profile of light in Ag films using finite difference time domain simulations. The subsequent coating of silica shell not only enhances the stability of the Au/Ag bimetallic nanorods but also provides a mesoporous host for optically active species. Minute red-shifts of the longitudinal resonance mode, induced by stepwise increased silica shell volumes, are shown. Application as carrier for fluorescent rhodamine B molecules is demonstrated by photoluminescence analysis. On the single-particle level, dark field microscopy of Au/Ag-silica nanorods was finally employed. This introduces a route towards revealing the relation between structure, shape, and optical (plasmonic) properties of complex composite metal particles as well as fabrication strategies for nanoassemblies of tailored structures in the field of nanoplasmonics.     

Synthesis and optical properties of nanorattles and multiple-walled nanoshells/nanotubes made of metal alloys

The galvanic replacement reaction between silver and chloroauric acid has been exploited as a powerful means for preparing metal nanostructures with hollow interiors. Here, the utility of this approach is further extended to produce complex core/shell nanostructures made of metals by combining the replacement reaction with electroless deposition of silver. We have fabricated nanorattles consisting of Au/Ag alloy cores and Au/Ag alloy shells by starting with Au/Ag alloy colloids as the initial template. We have also prepared multiple-walled nanoshells/nanotubes (or nanoscale Matrioshka) with a variety of shapes, compositions, and structures by controlling the morphology of the template and the precursor salt used in each step of the replacement reaction. There are a number of interesting optical features associated with these new core/shell metal nanostructures. For example, nanorattles made of Au/Ag alloys displayed two well-separated extinction peaks, a feature similar to that of gold or silver nanorods. The peak at approximately 510 nm could be attributed to the Au/Ag alloy cores, while the other peak was associated with the Au/Ag alloy shells and could be continuously tuned in the spectral range from red to near-infrared.     

Analytical separation of Au/Ag core/shell nanoparticles by capillary electrophoresis

This paper demonstrates that capillary electrophoresis (CE) can be employed for characterizing the sizes of a series of Au/Ag core/shell nanoparticles (NPs). We effected the CE separation of Au/Ag core/shell NPs using a mixed buffer of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) (40 mM) and 3-(cyclohexylamino)propanesulfonic acid (10 mM) at pH 9.7 and an applied voltage of 20 kV. A linear relationship (R(2)>0.99) existed between the electrophoretic mobilities and the sizes of the Au/Ag core/shell NPs within the diameter range from 25 to 90 nm; the relative standard deviations of these electrophoretic mobilities were <0.9%. From the good correlation between the results obtained by CE and those provided by scanning electron microscopy, we confirmed that this CE method is a valid one for characterizing the sizes of Au/Ag core/shell NP samples. In addition, when the Au/Ag core/shell NPs were separated through CE and detected using an on-line photodiode array detector, this approach allowed the chemical characterization of the NP species. This CE approach should allow the rapid and cost-effective characterization of a number of future nanomaterials.     

A two-color-change, nanoparticle-based method for DNA detection

Herein, we describe the detailed synthesis of Ag/Au core-shell nanoparticles, the surface-functionalization of these particles with thiolated oligonucleotides, and their subsequent use as probes for DNA detection. The Ag/Au core-shell nanoparticles retain the optical properties of the silver core and are easily functionalized with thiolated oligonucleotides due to the presence of the gold shell. As such, the Ag/Au core-shell nanoparticles have optical properties different from their pure gold counterparts and provide another “color” option for target DNA-directed colorimetric detection. Size-matched Ag/Au core-shell and pure gold nanoparticles perform nearly identically in DNA detection and melting experiments, but with distinct optical signatures. Based on this observation, we report the development of a two-color-change method for the detection and simultaneous validation of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in a DNA target using Ag/Au core-shell and pure gold nanoparticle probes.     

Ag/Au Alloy LSPR Engineering by Co‐deposition of RF‐Sputtering and RF‐PECVD

Silver‐Gold alloy/diamond like carbon (Ag‐Au/DLC) nanocomposite films were prepared by co‐deposition of RF‐sputtering and RF‐PECVD on glass substrates by using acetylene gas and silver‐gold target. The deposition process was carried out at room temperature in one minute with the variable parameters of initial pressures and RF powers. X‐ray diffraction analysis demonstrated the formation of Ag/Au alloy nanoparticles with a face‐centered cubic (FCC) structure. Localized surface plasmon and optical properties of Ag‐Au alloy nanoparticles were studied by UV‐visible spectrophotometry which showed that increasing RF power and initial pressure cause a redshift in all samples. Moreover, the effect of RF power and initial pressure on the size and shape of nanoparticles were studied by 2D Atomic force microscopy images. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy revealed the formation of Ag‐Au/DLC nanoparticles and the percentages of C, Ag, Au and O in all samples. The applied method for Ag/Au alloy preparation is the one step and low‐cost method which makes the samples ready for sensing application.     

Aqueous Gold Overgrowth of Silver Nanoparticles: Merging the Plasmonic Properties of Silver with the Functionality of Gold

To date, it has not been possible to combine the high optical quality of silver particles with the good chemical stability and synthetic convenience in a fully aqueous system, while simultaneously allowing chemical surface functionalization. We present a synthetic pathway for future developments in information, energy and medical technology where strong optical/electronic properties are crucial. Therefore, the advantages inherent to gold are fused with the plasmonic properties of silver in a fully aqueous Au/Ag/Au core–shell shell system. These nanoparticles inherit low dispersity from their masked gold cores, yet simultaneously exhibit the strong plasmonic properties of silver. Protecting the silver surface with a thin gold layer enables oxidant stability and functionality without altering the Ag‐controlled optical properties. This combines both worlds—optical quality and chemical stability—and is not limited to a specific particle shape.     

Synthesis and growth mechanism of pentagonal bipyramid-shaped gold-rich Au/Ag alloy nanoparticles

Pentagonal bipyramid-shaped gold-rich Au/Ag alloy nanoparticles are synthesized in ethylene glycol (EG) in the presence of small amounts of AgNO3 and PVP without using Au seeds. The contents of Au and Ag in pentagonal nanobipyramids are determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The EDS data demonstrates that this kind of nanoparticles is composed of Au/Ag alloys, not silver monolayers simply covering the surface of Au nanoparticles. Insights into the growth mechanism of pentagonal bipyramid-shaped gold-rich Au/Ag alloy nanoparticles are discussed.     

Preparation of highly dispersed core/shell-type titania nanocapsules containing a single Ag nanoparticle

Core/shell-type titania nanocapsules containing a single Ag nanoparticle were prepared. Ag nanoparticles were prepared using the reduction of silver nitrate with hydrazine in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as protective agent. The sol-gel reaction of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) was used to prepare core/shell-type titania nanocapsules with CTAB-coated Ag nanoparticles as the core. TEM observations revealed that the size of the core (Ag particle) and the thickness of the shell (titania) of the core/shell particles obtained are about 10 nm and 5-10 nm, respectively. In addition, the nanocapsules were found to be dispersed in the medium as individual particles without aggregation. Moreover, titania coating caused the surface plasmon absorption of Ag nanoparticles to shift toward the longer wavelength side.     

Ag/Au纳米粒子的没食子酸还原制备及其共振瑞利散射光谱测定人血清总蛋白

以没食子酸为还原剂和稳定剂,用种子生长法制备出粒径均匀、单分散性和稳定性好、近球形的Ag/Au 核壳纳米粒子.高分辨透射电镜(HRTEM)与 X-射线能量色散光谱仪(EDX)测试表明,在Ag/Au摩尔比为1:1.6时,Au已完全包裹在Ag纳米粒子表面时,平均粒径为25 nm.以此摩尔比制备的Ag/Au核壳纳米粒子为探针...     

Rapid synthesis of Au, Ag, and bimetallic Au core-Ag shell nanoparticles using Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf broth

We report on the use of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf broth in the extracellular synthesis of pure metallic silver and gold nanoparticles and bimetallic Au/Ag nanoparticles. On treatment of aqueous solutions of silver nitrate and chloroauric acid with Neem leaf extract, the rapid formation of stable silver and gold nanoparticles at high concentrations is observed to occur. The silver and gold nanoparticles are polydisperse, with a large percentage of gold particles exhibiting an interesting flat, platelike morphology. Competitive reduction of Au3+ and Ag+ ions present simultaneously in solution during exposure to Neem leaf extract leads to the synthesis of bimetallic Au core-Ag shell nanoparticles in solution. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the silver nanoparticles are adsorbed onto the gold nanoparticles, forming a core-shell structure. The rates of reduction of the metal ions by Neem leaf extract are much faster than those observed by us in our earlier studies using microorganisms such as fungi, highlighting the possibility that nanoparticle biological synthesis methodologies will achieve rates of synthesis comparable to those of chemical methods.     

Crystal overgrowth on gold nanorods: tuning the shape, facet, aspect ratio, and composition of the nanorods

Electrochemically prepared Au nanorods were used as seeds for the overgrowth of thin shells of gold, silver, and palladium by using a mild reducing agent, ascorbic acid, in the presence of surfactants at ambient condition. The unique crystal facets of the starting nanorods results in anisotropic crystal overgrowth. The overgrowth rates along different crystallographical directions can be further regulated by adding foreign ions or by using different metal reduction methods. This overgrowth study provides insights on how different metal ions could be reduced preferentially on different Au nanorod surfaces, so that the composition, aspect ratio, shape, and facet of the resulting nanostructures can be rationally tuned. These surfactant-stabilized bimetallic Au(core)M(shell) (M=Au, Ag, Pd) nanorod colloids might serve as better substrates in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy as well as exhibiting enhanced catalytic properties.     

Bimetallic (Ag)Au nanoparticles prepared by the seed growth method: two-dimensional assembling, characterization by energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and surface enhanced raman spectroscopy, and proposed mechanism of growth

Layered core-shell bimetallic silver-gold nanoparticles were prepared by overdeposition of Au over Ag seeds by the seed-growth method using tetrachloroauric acid, with hydroxylamine hydrochloride as the reductant. The effects of pH, reduction rate, and seeding conditions on the morphology and surface plasmon extinction of the bimetallic nanoparticles were investigated. Nanoparticles prepared by a rapid reduction in the neutral ambient and assembled into two-dimensional nanoparticulate films by adsorption of 2,2'-bipyridine were characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results are consistent with Ag core and Ag/Au-alloyed shell composition of the nanoparticles. Evidence of the presence of Ag on the surface of the nanoparticles, of enrichment of the Ag/Au alloy shell by Ag toward or at the nanoparticle surface, and of modification of the nanoparticle surface by adsorbed chlorides is also provided. Reduction of the size of the Ag seeds, alloying of Ag and Au in the shell of the nanoparticles, and modification of their surfaces by adsorbed chlorides are tentatively attributed to positive charging of the nanoparticles during the electrocatalytic overdeposition of Au over Ag seeds.