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Published on: June 23, 2022
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Spiked gold nanotriangles: formation, characterization and applications in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and
Ferenc Liebig1, Radwan M Sarhan2,3,4, Matias Bargheer3
1Institute for Chemistry, University of Potsdam Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, Haus 25 14476 Potsdam Germany koetz@uni-potsdam.de +49 331 977 5220.
RSC Advances
|May 2, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed metallic spikes on gold nanotriangles (AuNTs) using silver nitrate and ascorbic acid. This modification enhances optical properties, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and photocatalytic activity.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Gold nanotriangles (AuNTs) are synthesized using reduction processes.
- Controlling nanoparticle morphology is crucial for tuning their properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation of metallic spikes on AuNTs.
- To elucidate the mechanism of spike formation and the role of key components.
- To evaluate the impact of surface modification on optical and catalytic properties.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of AuNTs with metallic spikes.
- Investigation of shape-directing agents (silver nitrate) and reducing agents (ascorbic acid).
- Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to understand surface interactions.
- Characterization of optical properties (near-infrared absorption).
- Assessment of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and photocatalytic activity.
Main Results:
- Metallic spikes were successfully formed on AuNTs.
- Silver nitrate acts as a shape-directing agent, with ascorbic acid as the reducing agent.
- MD simulations revealed ascorbic acid's role in attaching to the surfactant bilayer and covering gold clusters, facilitating spike growth.
- Surface modification resulted in a blue-shift of near-infrared absorption due to increased thickness and silver incorporation.
- The spiky surface enhanced SERS cross-section and photocatalytic activity, demonstrated by 4-nitrothiophenol dimerization.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates a method for creating spiky AuNTs with tunable properties.
- Understanding the mechanism involving silver nitrate, ascorbic acid, and surfactant is key to controlling nanostructure formation.
- The enhanced optical and catalytic properties of spiky AuNTs open possibilities for advanced applications in sensing and catalysis.
