Plasmonic nanocrystals (NCs) are of current interest due to their potential use in applications that range from waveguides to sensors.   In particular, metallic NCs have tunable plasmonic properties that depend on their size, shape, composition, and local environment.  The implication of the latter is that metallic NCs are useful as refractive index (RI)-based sensors.  Investigation of bimetallic NCs has been limited due to difficulties in synthesis; however, the Skrabalak laboratory has developed seed-mediated co-reduction as a route to architecturally controlled bimetallic NCs that represent multi-functional platforms on account of their unique compositions and structures.  Here, the synthesis and optical properties of symmetrically branched Au-Pd NCs will be discussed including synthetic parameters that lead to the simultaneous reduction of Au and Pd onto Au cores.  In particular, single NC characterization is required to capture the effects of small size and shape changes on the plasmonic response.  Methods to correlate structural features of NCs with their optical properties will also be discussed including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and darkfield scattering spectroscopy. By determining the features that affect plasmonic response, a more rational approach toward the design of new multifunctional plasmonic platforms should be possible.

Single particle characterization of bimetallic nanocrystals:  Effect of size and structural features on plasmonic response

248th National Meeting (2014)

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