Photoinduced Conversion of Silver Nanospheres to Nanoprisms

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1066541
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:47:15Z
• Authors: Rongchao Jin; YunWei Cao; Chad A. Mirkin; K. L. Kelly; George C. Schatz; J. G. Zheng
• Keywords: Ultraviolet; Silver nanoparticle

A photoinduced method for converting large quantities of silver nanospheres into triangular nanoprisms is reported. The photo-process has been characterized by time-dependent ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, allowing the observation several key intermediates in characteristics conversion process. This light-driven process results a colloid with distinctive optical properties that directly relate to nanoprism shape particles. Theoretical calculations coupled experimental observations allow assignment plasmon bands first identification two distinct quadrupole resonances nanoparticle. Unlike spherical particles they are derived from Rayleigh light-scatter blue, these exhibit scattering red, which could be useful developing multicolor diagnostic labels on basis not only nanoparticle composition size but also shape.