Oxidation-resistant silver nanostructures for ultrastable plasmonic applications

Operando X-ray characterization platform to unravel catalyst degradation under accelerated stress testing in CO2 electrolysis

Membrane-electrode assembly (MEA)-based CO2 electrolysis shows great potential for industrial-scale chemical production, but long-term stability remains a key challenge. The degradation mechanisms of catalysts and electrodes in MEAs are not yet fully understood. Here a customized operando synchrotron X-ray characterization platform was established to track the time- and space-resolved evolution of ions and water movement, crystal structure and catalyst variations in MEAs. Using Au and Ag model catalysts, we show that the crystalline phase catalyst stability and catalyst-substrate adhesion are critical to MEA durability. Small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering analysis reveals that Au catalysts, with their robust crystal structure and stable catalyst-substrate adhesion, maintain stability under accelerated stress tests, whereas Ag catalysts degrade due to particle agglomeration, an undesirable dissolution-recrystallization process and detachment. This study demonstrates the advanced capabilities of operando X-ray techniques in elucidating catalyst and electrode degradation in CO2 electrolysers.

Creation of Multi-Principal Element Alloy NiCoCr Nanostructures via Nanosecond Laser-Induced Dewetting

The multi-principal element alloy nanoparticles (MPEA NPs), a new class of nanomaterials, present a highly rewarding opportunity to explore new or vastly different functional properties than the traditional mono/bi/multimetallic nanostructures due to their unique characteristics of atomic-level homogeneous mixing of constituent elements in the nanoconfinements. Here, the successful creation of NiCoCr nanoparticles, a well-known MPEA system is reported, using ultrafast nanosecond laser-induced dewetting of alloy thin films. Nanoparticle formation occurs by spontaneously breaking the energetically unstable thin films in a melt state under laser-induced hydrodynamic instability and subsequently accumulating in a droplet shape via surface energy minimization. While NiCoCr alloy shows a stark contrast in physical properties compared to individual metallic constituents, i.e., Ni, Co, and Cr, yet the transient nature of the laser-driven process facilitates a homogeneous distribution of the constituents (Ni, Co, and Cr) in the nanoparticles. Using high-resolution chemical analysis and scanning nanodiffraction, the environmental stability and grain arrangement in the nanoparticles are further investigated. Thermal transport simulations reveal that the ultrashort (≈100 ns) melt-state lifetime of NiCoCr during the dewetting event helps retain the constituent elements in a single-phase solid solution with homogenous distribution and opens the pathway to create the unique MPEA nanoparticles with laser-induced dewetting process.

Nanoporous silver fabricated with pretreated Ag-Al alloy toward surface enhanced Raman sensing

Nanoporous silver (NPS), characterized by its three-dimensional bi-continuous interpenetrating ligament channel structure, is a good candidate for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), attributed to its exceptional surface-to-volume ratio and significant SERS enhancement capabilities. Here, we have successfully fabricated NPS through the dealloying ofα-terpineol (α-TPN) coated Ag55Al45alloy. The resultingα-NPS exhibits uniform ligaments and nanopore sizes, maintaining high SERS performance even after being exposed to air for more than one month. The pretreatment of precusor alloy withα-TPN is crucial not only for the formation of nanoporous structure but also for ensuring the long term stability ofα-NPS. Specifically,α-TPN functions as a surfactant, facilitating atomic diffusion to achieve a superior interconnected NPS. Furthermore, during the dealloying process, the carbonization ofα-TPN serves as a protective layer, effectively inhibiting the oxidation of silver.

Photothermal Therapy with HER2-Targeted Silver Nanoparticles Leading to Cancer Remission

Nanoparticles exhibiting the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomenon are promising tools for diagnostics and cancer treatment. Among widely used metal nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) possess the strongest light scattering and surface plasmon strength. However, the therapeutic potential of Ag NPs has until now been underestimated. Here we show targeted photothermal therapy of solid tumors with 35 nm HER2-targeted Ag NPs, which were produced by the green synthesis using an aqueous extract of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. Light irradiation tests demonstrated effective hyperthermic properties of these NPs, namely heating by 10 °C in 10 min. To mediate targeted cancer therapy, Ag NPs were conjugated to the scaffold polypeptide, affibody ZHER2:342, which recognizes a clinically relevant oncomarker HER2. The conjugation was mediated by the PEG linker to obtain Ag-PEG-HER2 nanoparticles. Flow cytometry tests showed that Ag-PEG-HER2 particles successfully bind to HER2-overexpressing cells with a specificity comparable to that of full-size anti-HER2 IgGs. A confocal microscopy study showed efficient internalization of Ag-PEG-HER2 into cells in less than 2 h of incubation. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated effective cell death upon exposure to Ag-PEG-HER2 and irradiation, caused by the production of reactive oxygen species. Xenograft tumor therapy with Ag-PEG-HER2 particles in vivo resulted in full primary tumor regression and the prevention of metastatic spread. Thus, for the first time, we have shown that HER2-directed plasmonic Ag nanoparticles are effective sensitizers for targeted photothermal oncotherapy.

Polymer-coated silver-iron nanoparticles as efficient and biodegradable MRI contrast agents

Bimetallic nanoparticles allow new and synergistic properties compared to the monometallic equivalents, often leading to unexpected results. Here we present on silver-iron nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol, which exhibit a high transverse relaxivity (316 ± 13 mM^-1s^-1, > 3 times that of the most common clinical benchmark based on iron oxide), excellent colloidal stability and biocompatibility in vivo. Ag-Fe nanoparticles are obtained through a one-step, low-cost laser-assisted synthesis, which makes surface functionalization with the desired biomolecules very easy. Besides, Ag-Fe nanoparticles show biodegradation over a few months, as indicated by incubation in the physiological environment. This is crucial for nanomaterials removal from the living organism and, in fact, in vivo biodistribution studies evidenced that Ag-Fe nanoparticles tend to be cleared from liver over a period in which the benchmark iron oxide contrast agent persisted. Therefore, the Ag-Fe NPs offer positive prospects for solving the problems of biopersistence, contrast efficiency, difficulties of synthesis and surface functionalization usually encountered in nanoparticulate contrast agents.

Amylase-Protected Ag Nanodots for in vivo Fluorescence Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy of Tumors

BACKGROUND

Fluorescent metallic nanodots (NDs) have become a promising nanoprobe for a wide range of biomedical applications. Because Ag NDs have a high tendency to be oxidized, their synthesis and storage are a big challenge. Thus, the method for preparing stable Ag NDs is urgently needed. Surface modification and functionalization can enrich the capability of Ag NDs.

METHODS

In this work, fluorescent Ag NDs were synthesized in deoxygenated water by using porcine pancreatic α-amylase (PPA) as the stabilizing/capping agent. The absorption and fluorescence of PPA-protected Ag NDs (PPA@AgNDs) were measured with a spectrophotometer and a spectrofluorometer, respectively. The morphology of PPA@AgNDs was characterized by high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The biocompatibility of PPA@AgNDs was evaluated by tetrazolium (MTT)-based assay. PolyLys-Cys-SH (sequence: KKKKKKC) peptides were conjugated to PPA@AgNDs via heterobifunctional crosslinkers. PolyLys-Cys-linked PPA@AgNDs absorbed 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) by electrostatic interaction at physiological pH. The capability of tumor targeting was evaluated by intravenously injecting PPA@AgND-ALA into 4T1 breast cancer xenograft mouse models. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) against tumors was performed under 635 nm laser irradiation.

RESULTS

PPA@AgNDs emitted at 640 nm with quantum yield of 2.1%. The Ag NDs exhibited strong photostability over a long period and a fluorescence lifetime of 5.1 ns. PPA@AgNDs easily entered the cells to stain the nuclei, showing the capabilities of living cell imaging with negligible cytotoxicity. ALA-loaded PPA@AgNDs (PPA@AgND-ALA) presented the superiority of passive tumor targeting via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Tumors were visualized in the near-infrared (NIR) region with reduced background noise. ALA molecules released from PPA@AgND-ALA was converted into the photosensitizer (PS) of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) intracellularly and intratumorally, which greatly improved the PDT efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Our approach opens a new way to design a novel theranostic nanoplatform of PPA@AgND-ALA for effective tumor targeting and fluorescence image-guided PDT.

Highly Conductive PVA/Ag Coating by Aqueous in Situ Reduction and Its Stretchable Structure for Strain Sensor

Highly stretchable fiber-based strain sensor is essential to develop various applications in intelligent textiles, biomedical electronics, and integrated circuits. Although several fiber-based strain sensors have been reported, attaining the balance between excellent stretchability, high conductivity, and controllable sensitivity remains challenging. Herein, we present a facile approach for fabricating highly conductive, stretchable, and sensitive fiber strain sensors by synthesizing poly(vinyl alcohol)/Ag nanoparticle composite coating through aqueous in situ reduction on a stretchable fiber with a braided structure. The conductive coating with a flexible structure shows an ultrahigh conductivity of 120 903 S/cm. The unique braided structure and dense conductive Ag network enable the strain sensor to simultaneously exhibit 150% of strain sensing, controllable gauge factor from 1.85 to 8.14 within 65% strain, and a rapid response time of 75 ms. Meanwhile, long-term durability and low hysteresis are other initial features of the fiber-based strain sensor. Most importantly, the fiber-based strain sensor is capable of detecting human motions, including vocal cord vibration, finger movements, walking, and running, exhibiting significant potential in real-time monitoring and intelligent textiles.

Realizing Vibrant and High-Contrast Reflective Structural Colors from Lossy Metals Supporting Dielectric Gratings

Despite their distinctive chemical properties, lossy metals are generally avoided in the design of structural colors because the optical losses can degrade the color vibrancy. Herein, we demonstrate a strategy that allows lossy metals supporting near-wavelength dielectric gratings to achieve high color vibrancy by benefiting from the optical loss rather than suffering from it. By exciting the grating rotated 45° relative to the incident field, s-polarized (s-pol) and p-polarized (p-pol) light each excites a spectrally distinct resonance, described by a treatment of coupled waveguide-array modes, that retards the phase over the wavelength. Owing to the birefringence, a cross-polarized reflection spectrum displays two sharp peaks from each component that decreases the monochromaticity. We show that lossy metals can minimize the p-pol contribution, leaving the sharp s-pol response to determine the spectrum and generate high color vibrancy. Through this scheme, we demonstrate that lossy metal substrates including Pt, a catalytically active metal, and W, a CMOS-compatible metal, can achieve larger sRGB gamut coverage ratios of 90% and 69%, respectively, than that of 55% from Ag, while maintaining similar pixel contrast ratios to that of Ag.

Thermal and Plasmonic Stabilization of Silver Nanostructures Using a Bilayer Anchoring Technique

In this work, we demonstrate how to suppress the shape instability of silver (Ag) nanotriangular pyramids following high-temperature annealing without a coating or encapsulation, thus producing a more stable optical plasmonic system. Nanosphere lithography (NSL) was used to fabricate large-area arrays of nanotriangular pyramids of Ag on glass substrates. By using a combination of morphology and spectroscopic studies it was found that exposure of this system to high temperatures of 473 K and beyond in air led to a rapid change in nanostructure shape, and thus, the surface area, with a substantial change to the original plasmonic character. On the other hand, NSL nanotriangular pyramids made from bilayers of Ag on Co or Co on Ag showed much smaller changes in shape and area following annealing up to 573 K in air. In the case of pure Ag, the NSL nanotriangular pyramid changed into a more spherical shape with an overall decrease of ∼24% in its surface area following annealing at 573 K. This lead to a large blue shift of over ∼287 nm or ∼39% in the location of the dipolar plasmonic resonance. On the other hand, the triangular shape of Ag was retained in both the metal bilayer cases, with much smaller area changes of ∼10 and ∼9%, for the Ag deposit when on Co and when under Co, respectively. Consequently, the plasmonic shifts were substantially smaller, of ∼65 nm or about 9%, in these bilayer systems. The mechanism for this stabilization was attributed to the higher surface energy of Co and much lower diffusivity of Co as well as Ag on Co that resulted in an anchoring of the Ag shape to its original state. The plasmonic quality factor for the bimetal NSL nanotriangular pyramids also showed substantially improved stability over pure Ag, further indicating that this anchoring approach is a viable pathway to produce pristine Ag surfaces for high-temperature plasmonic applications.

Strong damping of the localized surface plasmon resonance of Ag nanoparticles by Ag2O

By studying oxidation of AgNPs (Ag nanoparticles) and decomposition of the produced silver oxide, we demonstrate that the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of AgNPs was damped by Ag₂O produced during oxygen plasma irradiation (OPI). The AgNPs were fabricated by evaporation of high pure silver under high vacuum. The oxidation was conducted in oxygen plasma generated by radio frequency glow discharging in vacuum, and the decomposition was performed by annealing the silver oxide in nitrogen ambient at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 450 °C. Samples were characterized by color, absorption spectra, surface enhanced Raman scattering, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The bandgap of the silver oxide was calculated. We propose that AgNPs are only partially oxidized into silver oxide during OPI, and the LSPR of the AgNPs left without being oxidation is strongly damped by the produced silver oxide. This LSPR damping is responsible for the transparency of the sample after OPI for 2 s.

Localized surface plasmon resonance based biosensing

INTRODUCTION

Bioanalytical sensing based on the principle of localized surface plasmon resonance experiences is currently an extremely rapid development. Novel sensors with new kinds of plasmonic transducers and innovative concepts for the signal development as well as read-out principles were identified. This review will give an overview of the development of this field. Areas covered: The focus is primarily on types of transducers by preparation or dimension, factors for optimal sensing concepts and the critical view of the usability of these devices as innovative sensors for bioanalytical applications. Expert commentary: Plasmonic sensor devices offer a high potential for future biosensing given that limiting factors such as long-time stability of the transducers, the required high sensitivity and the cost-efficient production are addressed. For higher sensitivity, the design of the sensor in shape and material has to be combined with optimal enhancement strategies. Plasmonic nanoparticles from bottom-up synthesis with a post-synthetic processing show a high potential for cost-efficient sensor production. Regarding the measurement principle, LSPRi offers a large potential for multiplex sensors and can provide a high-throughput as well as highly paralleled sensing. The main trends are expected towards optimal LSPR concepts which represent cost-efficient and robust point-of-care solutions, and the use of multiplexed devices for clinical applications.

Transformation of irregular shaped silver nanostructures into nanoparticles by under water pulsed laser melting

The ability to easily manufacture nanostructures with a desirable attribute, such as well-defined size and shape, especially from any given initial shapes or sizes of the material, will be helpful towards accelerating the use of nanomaterials in various applications. In this work we report the transformation of discontinuous irregular nanostructures (DIN) of silver metal by rapid heating under a bulk fluid layer. Ag films were changed into DIN by dewetting in air and subsequently heated by nanosecond laser pulses under water. Our findings show that the DIN first ripens into elongated structures and then breaks up into nanoparticles. From the dependence of this behavior on laser fluence we found that under water irradiation reduced the rate of ripening and also decreased the characteristic break-up length scale of the elongated structures. This latter result was qualitatively interpreted as arising from a Rayleigh-Plateau instability modified to yield significantly smaller length scales than the classical process due to pressure gradients arising from the rapid evaporation of water during laser melting. These results demonstrate that it is possible to fabricate a dense collection of monomodally sized Ag nanoparticles with significantly enhanced plasmonic quality starting from the irregular shaped materials. This can be beneficial towards transforming discontinuous Ag films into nanostructures with useful plasmonic properties, that are relevant for biosensing applications.

Oxidation-resistant hybrid metal oxides/metal nanodots/silver nanowires for high performance flexible transparent heaters

Despite its excellent optical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal performances, a silver nanowire (AgNW)-based transparent conducting heater (TCH) still demonstrates several drawbacks such as facile nanowire breakdown on application of a high DC voltage, easy oxidation when exposed to harsh environments, leading to increased surface resistivity, and high resistance among wire junctions causing nonhomogeneous temperature profiles. To overcome these issues, the AgNW was hybridized with other transparent heating materials made of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) thin films and NiCr nanodots (FTO/NiCr/AgNW). The dispersed NiCr nanodots (∼50 nm) and FTO thin films (∼20 nm) electrically bridge the nanowire junctions leading to a decreased sheet resistance and uniform temperature profiles. The hybrid transparent heater shows excellent optical transmittance (>90%) and high saturation temperature (162 °C) at low applied DC voltage (6 V). Moreover, the FTO/NiCr/AgNW heater exhibits a stable sheet resistance in a hostile environment, hence highlighting the excellent oxidation-resistance of the heating materials. These results indicate that the proposed hybrid transparent heaters could be a promising approach to combat the inherent problems associated with AgNW-based transparent heaters for various functional applications.

Dewetting dynamics of a gold film on graphene: implications for nanoparticle formation

The dynamics of dewetting of gold films on graphene surfaces is investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. The effect of temperature (973-1533 K), film diameter (30-40 nm) and film thickness (0.5-3 nm) on the dewetting mechanism, leading to the formation of nanoparticles, is reported. The dewetting behavior for films ≤5 Å is in contrast to the behavior seen for thicker films. The retraction velocity, in the order of ∼300 m s(-1) for a 1 nm film, decreases with an increase in film thickness, whereas it increases with temperature. However at no point do nanoparticles detach from the surface within the temperature range considered in this work. We further investigated the self-assembly behavior of nanoparticles on graphene at different temperatures (673-1073 K). The process of self-assembly of gold nanoparticles is favorable at lower temperatures than at higher temperatures, based on the free-energy landscape analysis. Furthermore, the shape of an assembled structure is found to change from spherical to hexagonal, with a marked propensity towards an icosahedral structure based on the bond-orientational order parameters.

Exciton-Plasmon Coupling Enhancement via Metal Oxidation

In this paper, we report on the effect of metal oxidation on strong coupling interactions between silver nanostructures and a J-aggregated cyanine dye. We show that metal oxidation can sensibly affect the plexcitonic system, inducing a change in the coupling strength. In particular, we demonstrate that the presence of oxide prevents the appearance of Rabi splitting in the extinction spectra for thick spacers. In contrast, below a threshold percentage, the oxide layer results in an higher coupling strength between the plasmon and the Frenkel exciton. Contrary to common belief, a thin oxide layer seems thus to act, under certain conditions, as a coupling mediator between an emitter and a localized surface plasmon excited in a metallic nanostructure. This suggests that metal oxidation can be exploited as a means to enhance light-matter interactions in strong coupling applications.

Substrate-induced interfacial plasmonics for photovoltaic conversion

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is widely used as light trapping schemes in solar cells, because it can concentrate light fields surrounding metal nanostructures and realize light management at the nanoscale. SPR in photovoltaics generally occurs at the metal/dielectric interfaces. A well-defined interface is therefore required to elucidate interfacial SPR processes. Here, we designed a photovoltaic device (PVD) with an atomically flat TiO₂ dielectric/dye/graphene/metal nanoparticle (NP) interface for quantitatively studying the SPR enhancement of the photovoltaic conversion. Theoretical and experimental results indicated that the graphene monolayer was transparent to the electromagnetic field. This transparency led to significant substrate-induced plasmonic hybridization at the heterostructure interface. Combined with interparticle plasmonic coupling, the substrate-induced plasmonics concentrated light at the interface and enhanced the photo-excitation of dyes, thus improving the photoelectric conversion. Such a mechanistic understanding of interfacial plasmonic enhancement will further promote the development of efficient plasmon-enhanced solar cells and composite photocatalysts.

Aluminum Nanoarrays for Plasmon-Enhanced Light Harvesting

The practical limits of coinage-metal-based plasmonic materials demand sustainable, abundant alternatives with a wide plasmonic range of the solar energy spectrum. Aluminum (Al) is an emerging alternative, but its instability in aqueous environments critically limits its applicability to various light-harvesting systems. Here, we report a design strategy to achieve a robust platform for plasmon-enhanced light harvesting using Al nanostructures. The incorporation of mussel-inspired polydopamine nanolayers in the Al nanoarrays allowed for the reliable use of Al plasmonic resonances in a highly corrosive photocatalytic redox solution and provided nanoscale arrangement of organic photosensitizers on Al surfaces. The Al-photosensitizer core-shell assemblies exhibited plasmon-enhanced light absorption, which resulted in a 300% efficiency increase in photo-to-chemical conversion. Our strategy enables stable and advanced use of aluminum for plasmonic light harvesting.

Localized surface plasmon sensing based investigation of nanoscale metal oxidation kinetics

The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of nanoparticles can be a powerful and sensitive probe of chemical changes in nanoscale volumes. Here we have used the LSPR of silver (Ag) to study the oxidation kinetics of nanoscopic volumes of cobalt (Co) metal. Bimetal nanoparticles of the immiscible Co-Ag system prepared by pulsed laser dewetting were aged in ambient air and the resulting changes to the LSPR signal and bandwidth were used to probe the oxidation kinetics. Co was found to preferentially oxidize first. This resulted in a significant enhancement by a factor of 8 or more in the lifetime of stable Ag plasmons over that of pure Ag. Theoretical modeling based on optical mean field approximation was able to predict the oxidation lifetimes and could help design stable Ag-based plasmonic nanoparticles for sensing applications.

Outstanding electromagnetic interference shielding of silver nanowires: comparison with carbon nanotubes

Synthesized silver nanowire/polystyrene nanocomposites showed superior electrical properties to commercial carbon nanotube/polystyrene nanocomposites at high filler loadings. This was ascribed to the higher metallic nature of silver nanowires.

DC electric field induced phase array self-assembly of Au nanoparticles

In this work we report the discovery of phase array self-assembly, a new way to spontaneously make periodic arrangements of metal nanoparticles. An initially random arrangement of gold (Au) or silver (Ag) nanoparticles on SiO2/Si substrates was irradiated with linearly polarized (P) laser light in the presence of a dc electric (E) field applied to the insulating substrate. For E fields parallel to the laser polarization (E||P), the resulting periodic ordering was single-crystal like with extremely low defect density and covered large macroscopic areas. The E field appears to be modifying the phase between radiation scattered by the individual nanoparticles thus leading to enhanced interference effects. While phase array behavior is widely known in antenna technology, this is the first evidence that it can also aid in nanoscale self-assembly. These results provide a simple way to produce periodic metal nanoparticles over large areas.

Properties of plasmonic arrays produced by pulsed-laser nanostructuring of thin Au films

A brief description of research advances in the area of short-pulse-laser nanostructuring of thin Au films is followed by examples of experimental data and a discussion of our results on the characterization of structural and optical properties of gold nanostructures. These consist of partially spherical or spheroidal nanoparticles (NPs) which have a size distribution (80 ± 42 nm) and self-organization characterized by a short-distance order (length scale ≈140 nm). For the NP shapes produced, an observably broader tuning range (of about 150 nm) of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band is obtained by renewal thin film deposition and laser annealing of the NP array. Despite the broadened SPR bands, which indicate damping confirmed by short dephasing times not exceeding 4 fs, the self-organized Au NP structures reveal quite a strong enhancement of the optical signal. This was consistent with the near-field modeling and micro-Raman measurements as well as a test of the electrochemical sensing capability.

Ferroplasmons: intense localized surface plasmons in metal-ferromagnetic nanoparticles

Interaction of photons with matter at length scales far below their wavelengths has given rise to many novel phenomena, including localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). However, LSPR with narrow bandwidth (BW) is observed only in a select few noble metals, and ferromagnets are not among them. Here, we report the discovery of LSPR in ferromagnetic Co and CoFe alloy (8% Fe) in contact with Ag in the form of bimetallic nanoparticles prepared by pulsed laser dewetting. These plasmons in metal-ferromagnetic nanostructures, or ferroplasmons (FP) for short, are in the visible spectrum with comparable intensity and BW to those of the LSPRs from the Ag regions. This finding was enabled by electron energy-loss mapping across individual nanoparticles in a monochromated scanning transmission electron microscope. The appearance of the FP is likely due to plasmonic interaction between the contacting Ag and Co nanoparticles. Since there is no previous evidence for materials that simultaneously show ferromagnetism and such intense LSPRs, this discovery may lead to the design of improved plasmonic materials and applications. It also demonstrates that materials with interesting plasmonic properties can be synthesized using bimetallic nanostructures in contact with each other.

Alkyne-functionalized superstable graphitic silver nanoparticles for Raman imaging

Noble metals, especially gold, have been widely used in plasmon resonance applications. Although silver has a larger optical cross section and lower cost than gold, it has attracted much less attention because of its easy corrosion, thereby degrading plasmonic signals and limiting its applications. To circumvent this problem, we report the facile synthesis of superstable AgCu@graphene (ACG) nanoparticles (NPs). The growth of several layers of graphene onto the surface of AgCu alloy NPs effectively protects the Ag surface from contamination, even in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen sulfide, and nitric acid. The ACG NPs have been utilized to enhance the unique Raman signals from the graphitic shell, making ACG an ideal candidate for cell labeling, rapid Raman imaging, and SERS detection. ACG is further functionalized with alkyne-polyethylene glycol, which has strong Raman vibrations in the Raman-silent region of the cell, leading to more accurate colocalization inside cells. In sum, this work provides a simple approach to fabricate corrosion-resistant, water-soluble, and graphene-protected AgCu NPs having a strong surface plasmon resonance effect suitable for sensing and imaging.

Directed liquid phase assembly of highly ordered metallic nanoparticle arrays

Directed assembly of nanomaterials is a promising route for the synthesis of nanoscale materials. In this paper, we demonstrate the directed-assembly of highly ordered two-dimensional arrays of hierarchical nanostructures with tunable size, spacing and composition. The directed assembly is achieved on lithographically patterned metal films that are subsequently pulse-laser melted; during the brief liquid lifetime, the pattened nanostructures assemble into highly ordered primary and secondary nanoparticles, with sizes below that which was originally patterned. Complementary fluid-dynamics simulations emulate the resultant patterns and show how the competition of capillary forces and liquid metal-solid substrate interaction potential drives the directed assembly. As an example of the enhanced functionality, a full-wave electromagnetic analysis has been performed to identify the nature of the supported plasmonic resonances.