Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Synthesis, Characterization, and Functionalization of Hybrid Au/CdS and Au/ZnS Core/Shell Nanoparticles
Published on: March 2, 2016
Rapid Determination of SiO2 Shell Thickness on Au Core Nanoparticles via Differential Centrifugal Sedimentation for
Jacqui Everitt1,2, Julia Fernández-Vidal1,2, Khadija Younis1,2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZD, U.K.
Abstract:
Consistent and reproducible synthesis of SiO2-coated Au nanoparticles, which are widely used as shell-isolated nanoparticles for enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS), is limited by the lack of rapid, routine methods to determine shell thickness and aggregation state. Here, differential centrifugal sedimentation (DCS) is demonstrated as a benchtop, collective-averaged technique capable of evaluating Au-SiO2 nanoparticles for SHINERS on time scales of under 10 min. Shell thicknesses determined by DCS show close agreement with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images within the critical 3.5-5.5 nm range governing reliable pinhole free Raman enhancement, while simultaneously revealing early stage aggregation beyond the reach of UV-visible spectroscopy. By converting shell thickness and aggregation assessment into a rapid, decision-ready measurement, DCS enables routine quality control and synthesis-level optimization of reproducible particles for use in SHINERS.
