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Liquid injection atomic layer deposition of silver nanoparticles
P R Chalker1, S Romani, P A Marshall
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. pchalker@liv.ac.uk
Nanotechnology
|September 11, 2010
Summary
This study introduces atomic layer deposition (ALD) for growing silver nanoparticles for the first time. These ALD-grown nanoparticles exhibit plasmonic properties comparable to those produced by traditional solution methods.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are crucial for plasmonics, catalysis, and analytical applications.
- Current synthesis methods often involve solution-based techniques.
- Novel deposition methods are needed to control AgNP properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the first-time growth of silver nanoparticles using atomic layer deposition (ALD).
- To investigate the influence of substrate temperature on nanoparticle characteristics.
- To analyze the plasmonic properties of ALD-synthesized AgNPs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized atomic layer deposition (ALD) with an organometallic precursor ((hexafluoroacetylacetonato)silver(I)(1,5-cyclooctadiene)).
- Employed catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation using propanol pulses.
- Investigated substrate temperatures from 110-150°C.
- Characterized nanoparticles using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) mapping.
Main Results:
- Successfully grew silver nanoparticles via ALD.
- TEM confirmed face-centered cubic, facetted silver crystallites.
- EELS mapping showed localized surface plasmon modes comparable to solution-grown nanoparticles.
- Observed both dipolar and quadrupolar resonant modes, consistent with theoretical models.
- Identified an 8.1 eV loss feature correlating with the nanoparticle bulk.
Conclusions:
- ALD is a viable method for synthesizing silver nanoparticles with controlled properties.
- ALD-grown AgNPs possess tunable plasmonic behaviors.
- This technique offers a new pathway for fabricating nanomaterials for plasmonic and catalytic applications.
