Aluminum Nanocrystals

Abstract

Abstract:We demonstrate the facile synthesis of high purity aluminum nanocrystals over a range of controlled sizes from 70 nm to 220 nm diameter, with size control achieved through a simple modification of solvent ratios in the reaction solution. The monodisperse, icosahedral and trigonal bipyramidal nanocrystals are air-stable for weeks, due to the formation of a 2-4 nm thick passivating oxide layer on their surfaces. We show that the nanocrystals support sizedependent ultraviolet and visible plasmon modes, providing a far more sustainable alternative to gold and silver nanoparticles currently in widespread use.

Hot electron generation by aluminum oligomers in plasmonic ultraviolet photodetectors

“…In the plotted snapshot, formation of the hotspots at the offset spots between nanodisks is clearly visible. The full optical responses of simple and complex aluminum antennas such as scattering profiles, and extinction spectra are discussed with details in previous studies [28,53], hence, here we just considered the absorption properties of the proposed heptamer assemblies. Since the oxidation of aluminum in the subwavelength regime also affects the dielectric permittivity of the particles, the thickness of the oxide layer has an important role in hybridization of plasmon resonances in closely spaced nanoparticle assemblies.…”

“…The effect of oxide layer on the scattering efficiency profile for an isolated nanodisk with an oxide thickness of t ox~2 -3 nm have been examined, theoretically and experimentally [18]. Besides, it is shown that increasing the thickness of the oxide layer results in a red-shift of scattering dipolar resonance peak to the longer wavelengths (from UV to the visible band) [53]. This red-shift also contains dramatic decrements in the scattering efficiency peak.…”

Diffusion controlling porphyrin assembled structures

“…The above results and discussions show that the diffusion of molecules in solvent plays an important role in the structure evolution of assemblies, which puts forward a different research line in considering the effect of solvents on the structure of materials. Various hierarchical structures of materials were synthesized by regulating solvents [30][31][32]. But our understanding on why and how the solvents play their role in shaping these structures is limited.…”

Plasmonics in the Ultraviolet with Aluminum, Gallium, Magnesium and Rhodium

“…These metals include among others Rh, Ru or Pd, which have already been used in heterogeneous catalysis. Although Al by itself is a poor catalytic metal, it has been demonstrated that Al nanocrystals can also act as photocatalysts for hydrogen dissociation [39]. Densely distributed Al NPs have been also used to assist photocatalytic processes [40,41].…”