The goal of this research was to develop optimal Nickel nanoparticles for applications in surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRA). Various elongated nanoparticles were formed by oblique angle deposition (OAD) through evaporating Nickel in vacuum onto CaF2 substrates at angles ranging from 750 to 800. These nanostructures were characterized with AFM, SEM, and UV/Vis-NIR spectroscopy. A monolayer of p-nitrobenzoic acid was deposited onto the Nickel nanostructures to determine the degree of vibrational enhancement in SEIRA. No SEIRA enhancement was observed for non-OAD depositions.  However, OAD work on elongated Nickel nanoparticles (NNPs) showed SEIRA enhancement factors up to x25. This work will influence a range of biological, medical, catalytic, environmental, and nanotechnological applications.

Surface-enhanced infrared spectroscopy from elongated Ni nanostructures

245th National Meeting (2013)

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