Pertinent Shape Effects of Gold Nanospheres and Nanostellates

Abstract

Modulating optical resonances in plasmonic resonators were easily achieved by virtue of their constituent composition, size as well as shape. Such confinement of electric field in the nano-regime enhances extra-ordinarily the light-matter interaction, further enabling wide range of applications in nanophotonics, SERS etc. Herein, we compare and contrast the surface plasmon modes of Au nanospheres and nanostellates, the visibly distinct morphologies of which not only correlates exceptionally well with their structure-property functional relationships, but also articulate their respective growth mechanisms in a rather meticulous manner. Higher amplification of analyte Raman signals visibly demonstrates the increased number of hot-spots with reference to their surface morphology and roughness.