Optical properties of shaped silver nanoparticles

The influence of shape and dielectric property of surrounding media on surface plasmon absorption band of silver nanoparticles was studied. Spherical silver nanoparticles (d = 5.6 nm) synthesized in water using NaBH4 as a reducing agent are transferred in non-polar solvent (chloroform) with phase-transfer reagent oleylamine. The absorption spectrum of oleylamine-capped silver nanoparticles dispersed in chloroform shows a strong surface plasmon resonance band that is 19 nm red-shifted compared to unmodified particles in water. The values for peak position and corresponding half widths are compared with theoretical calculations based on Mie theory. Prismatic and plate-like silver nanoparticles were synthesized in water using trisodium citrate as a reducing agent and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as stabilizer. Due to structural anisotropy of prismatic and plate-like silver nanoparticles three surface plasmon resonance bands were observed in absorption spectrum. Nanocomposites consisting of non-spherical silver nanoparticles and polyvinyl alcohol exhibit different optical properties compared to water colloid. Instead of three surface plasmon bands, nanocomposite film has only one peak at 460 nm. Reason for appearance of single surface plasmon resonance band in nanocomposite film was discussed according to Maxwell-Garnet theory.