Optical properties of Pd-Ag and Pt-Ag nanoboxes synthesized via galvanic replacement reactions

Silver nanocubes dispersed in water were transformed into Pd-Ag or Pt-Ag nanoboxes by adding either Na(2)PdCl(4) or Na(2)PtCl(4). By controlling the amount of noble metal salt added, and therefore the molar ratio of Na(2)PdCl(4) or Na(2)PtCl(4) to Ag, we could tune the surface plasmon resonance peak of the nanostructures across the entire visible spectrum, from 440 to 730 nm. Replacement of Ag with Pd resulted in the formation of a nanobox composed of a Pd-Ag alloy single crystal, but the nanobox formed after replacement of Ag with Pt was instead composed of distinct Pt nanoparticles. DDA calculations suggest that both nanoboxes absorb light strongly, with Q(abs)/Q(sca) approximately 5. After galvanic replacement, Pd-Ag and Pt-Ag nanostructures remain SERS active, suggesting their use as a SERS probe for studying the dependence of interfacial chemistry on composition.