Studies of the silica–noble metal core-shell particles are fascinating mainly because of their unique structures and interesting physicochemical properties, which make them attractive for a variety of applications [1,2]. These structures are of great interest in biological and biochemical studies, for instance, in cancer diagnostics or pathogens identification, spectroscopy, e.g., surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), optical signal modulation and photonics.

In this paper we report an effective recipe for preparation of core-shell nanostructures consisting of spherical siliceous cores with diameter ca. 500 nm and gold or silver external shell layer (Fig. 1). We found the optimal process conditions to obtain products with desired size and morphology. Optical properties (extinction) of obtained silica-gold and silica-silver nanostructures were examined in wavelength range from 200 to 800 nm. SERS activity of prepared nanostructures was tested using standard compound – p-mercaptoaniline and revealed enhancement of the order of 10⁶.

[1] B.J. Jankiewicz, D. Jamiola, J. Choma, M. Jaroniec, Silica-metal core-shell nanostructures, Adv. Colloid Interface Sci., 2012, 170(1-2), pp. 28-47

[2] B. Bartosewicz, M. Gajda-Rączka, B.J. Jankiewicz, Chemical approach to fabrication of semicontinuous Au nanolayers for SERS applications, Photonics Letters of Poland, 2013, 5, pp. 48-50

Acknowledgment:

This research was partially supported by the grant no. DEC-2011/03/N/ST5/04444 funded by the National Science Centre and the grant no. OR00005408 (2009–2011) funded by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

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