Gold and silver nanostructures magnify optical fields near their surface when excited by light due to localized surface plasmon resonances.  This enhancement greatly increases the weak Raman scattering from molecules near the nanoparticle surface, an effect referred to as surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).  By focusing on a well-defined plasmonic interface rather than strong enhancement, we have used SERS to analyze the surfactant layer that surrounds gold nanorods. A structural transition was identified which may have a significant impact on efforts to functionalize and manipulate gold nanorods for applications.  To further explore the potential of well-defined nanostructures for SERS, gold nanobelts were synthesized and studied.  These elongated structures exhibit a strong plasmon resonance whose peak wavelength depends on their cross-sectional aspect ratio.  Many interesting nanobelt morphologies were found, including a split structure that provides a strong SERS signal in a well-defined, single crystal geometry.

Analytical surface enhanced Raman scattering from nanoparticles and nanostructures

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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