Synthesis and Characterization of Gold Nanoparticles Coated with Ultrathin and Chemically Inert Dielectric Shells for SHINERS Applications

• DOI: 10.1366/10-06140
• Publication Date: 2011-05-30T12:43:28Z
• Authors: Jian-Feng Li; Song-Bo Li; Jason R. Anema; Zhi-Lin Yang; Yi-Fan Huang; Yong Ding; Yuan-Fei Wu; Xiao-Shun Zhou; De-Yin Wu; Bin Ren; Zhong-Lin Wang; Zhong-Qun Tian
• Keywords: Characterization

We very recently reported a new spectroscopic application for expanding the versatility of surface Raman called “shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced spectroscopy” or “SHINERS”. The most important and difficult part SHINERS experiment is effective transfer strong electromagnetic field from gold core through isolating silica alumina shell to probed surface. For this it essential that chemically inert dielectric be ultrathin (2–5 nm) yet pinhole-free. Herein we describe experimental theoretical aspects our method in more detail. provide protocol synthesis characterization optimized shell-isolated nanoparticles (SHINs), examine advantages over bare nanoparticles. also present high-quality spectra obtained platinum single-crystal surfaces an electrochemical environment by technique. simple cost-effective approach expands flexibility surface-enhanced scattering (SERS) unprecedented diversity applications materials sciences.