Abstract
We report a class of core-shell nanomaterials that can be used as efficient surface-enhancement Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. The core consists of silver nanowires, prepared through a chemical reduction process, that are used to capture 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA), a model analyte. The shell was prepared through a modified Stöber method and consists of patchy or full silica coats. The formation of silica coats was monitored via transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and phase-analysis light-scattering for measuring effective surface charge. Surprisingly, the patchy silica-coated silver nanowires are better SERS substrate than silver nanowires; nanomolar concentration of 4-MBA can be detected. In addition, "nano-matryoshka" configurations were used to quantitate/explore the effect of the electromagnetic field at the tips of the nanowire ("hot spots") in the Raman scattering experiment.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1607 |
| Journal | Journal of Nanoparticle Research |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Patchy nanostructures
- SERS
- Silica
- Silver nanowires
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Bioengineering
- Chemistry(all)
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Modeling and Simulation
- Materials Science(all)
- Condensed Matter Physics