Abstract

In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for enhancing a Raman signal comprising the steps of providing a sample comprising a metal surface, an analyte adhered to the surface, and a metallic nanoparticle coupled to the surface, wherein the nanoparticle has a plasmon resonance band; exposing the sample to incident energy of an excitation wavelength; and detecting the Raman signal of the analyte. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a compositiion comprising a metal surface, a functionalized self-assembled monolayer adhered to the surface, wherin the self-assembled monolayer comprises an analyte, and a cetyltrimethylammonium halide-capped metallic nanoparticle coupled to the surface. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-capped gold nanoparticle and a method for preparing same. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of …

Abstract

Gold nanostars, possessing multiple sharp spikes, have emerged as promising plasmonic particles in the field of ultrasensitive sensing. We have developed a water-based method for high-yield synthesis of size-tunable anisotropic gold nanoparticles with a varying number of spiky surface protrusions, and performed systematic experimental and theoretical analyses of the optical properties of the single gold nanostars by characterizing them simultaneously with scanning electron microscopy and dark-field scattering spectroscopy. The morphologies and corresponding scattering spectra of the individual gold nanostars have been compared with electromagnetic simulations of the plasmonic resonances utilizing the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The study provides a correlation between the experimental and calculated scattering spectra and charge distributions of the different plasmon modes in the …

Abstract

The invention provides a method for manufacturing supported noble metal based alloy catalysts with a high degree of alloying and a small crystallite size. The method involves using polyol solvents as reaction medium and comprises a two-step reduction process in the presence of a support material. In the first step, the first metal (transition metal; eg Co, Cr, Ru) is activated by increasing the reaction temperature to 80 to 160 C. In the second step, the second metal (noble metal; eg Pt, Pd, Au) is added and the slurry is heated to the boiling point of the polyol solvent in a range of 160 to 300 C. The catalysts manufactured according to the method are used as electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), direct-methanol fuel cells (DMFC) or as gas phase catalysts for CO oxidation or exhaust gas purification.

Abstract

Plasmonic hotspots in single gold nanostars are located at the tips and can be excited selectively by laser light as evidenced by photoelectron emission microscopy. Selectivity is achieved through wavelength and polarization of the excitation light. Comparing photoelectron emission intensity and dark-field scattering spectra of the same individual nanostars reveals differences in terms of observable plasmon resonance wavelengths and field enhancements. Differences are explained with the underlying near- and far-field processes of the two techniques.

Abstract

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold substrates is presented for SAMs onto which gold nanoparticles of various shapes have been electrostatically immobilized. SERS spectra of 4-MBA SAMs are enhanced in the presence of immobilized gold nanocrystals by a factor of 10 7-10 9 relative to 4-MBA in solution. Large enhancement factors are a likely result of plasmon coupling between the nanoparticles (localized surface plasmon) and the smooth gold substrate (surface plasmon polariton), creating large localized electromagnetic fields at their interface, where 4-MBA molecules reside in this sandwich architecture. Moreover, enhancement factors depend on nanoparticle shape, and vary by a factor of 10 2.

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for manufacture of supported noble metal based alloy catalysts with a high degree of alloying and a small crystallite size. The method is based on the use of polyol solvents as reaction medium and comprises of a two-step reduction process in the presence of a support material. In the first step, the first metal (M1= transition metal; eg Co, Cr, Ru) is activated by increasing the reaction temperature to 80 to 160 C. In the second step, the second metal (M2= noble metal; eg Pt, Pd, Au and mixtures thereof) is added and the slurry is heated to the boiling point of the polyol solvent in a range of 160 to 300 C. Due to this two-step method, an uniform reduction occurs, resulting in noble metal based catalysts with a high degree of alloying and a small crystallite size of less than 3 nm. Due to the high degree of alloying, the lattice constants are lowered. The catalysts manufactured …

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for manufacture of supported noble metal based alloy catalysts with a high degree of alloying and a small crystallite size. The method is based on the use of polyol solvents as reaction medium and comprises of a two-step reduction process in the presence of a support material. In the first step, the first metal (M1= transition metal; eg Co, Cr, Ru) is activated by increasing the reaction temperature to 80 to 160 C. In the second step, the second metal (M2= noble metal; eg Pt, Pd, Au and mixtures thereof) is added and the slurry is heated to the boiling point of the polyol solvent in a range of 160 to 300 C. Due to this two-step method, an uniform reduction occurs, resulting in noble metal based catalysts with a high degree of alloying and a small crystallite size of less than 3 nm. Due to the high degree of alloying, the lattice constants are lowered. The catalysts manufactured …

Abstract

Gold nanostars provide high sensitivity for single nanoparticle label-free biosensing. The nanostars present multiple plasmon resonances of which the lower energy ones, corresponding to the nanostar tips and core−tip interactions, are the most sensitive to environmental changes. Streptavidin molecules are detected upon binding to individual, biotin-modified gold nanostars by spectral shifts in the plasmon resonances. Concentrations as low as 0.1 nM produce a shift of the tip related plasmon resonances of about 2.3 nm (5.3 meV).

Abstract

Gold nanoparticle-loaded liposomes can serve as important biophysical and biochemical tools. A rapid, green, one-step synthetic method has been used for direct and controlled loading of gold nanoparticles onto liposomes. The effects of various synthetic parameters on nanoparticle loading as well as on optical properties of the liposome-anchored nanoparticles are discussed. Gold nanoparticle-loaded individual liposomes have been characterized by dark-field microscopy and optical spectroscopy.

Abstract

We report on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) from single star-shaped gold nanoparticles coated with self-assembled monolayers of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid. SERS is observed without the formation of gold nanoparticle aggregates or resonant excitation of the analyte. Total Raman scattering enhancement factors for single nanostars are comparable to those of nanoparticle assemblies exhibiting coupled plasmon resonances. This renders gold nanostars promising for Raman imaging applications in complex environments such as cells or membranes.