Morphology and Microstructure Evolution of Gold Nanostructures in the Limited Volume Porous Matrices

Abstract

The modern development of nanotechnology requires the discovery of simple approaches that ensure the controlled formation of functional nanostructures with a predetermined morphology. One of the simplest approaches is the self-assembly of nanostructures. The widespread implementation of self-assembly is limited by the complexity of controlled processes in a large volume where, due to the temperature, ion concentration, and other thermodynamics factors, local changes in diffusion-limited processes may occur, leading to unexpected nanostructure growth. The easiest ways to control the diffusion-limited processes are spatial limitation and localized growth of nanostructures in a porous matrix. In this paper, we propose to apply the method of controlled self-assembly of gold nanostructures in a limited pore volume of a silicon oxide matrix with submicron pore sizes. A detailed study of achieved gold nanostructures’ morphology, microstructure, and surface composition at different formation stages is carried out to understand the peculiarities of realized nanostructures. Based on the obtained results, a mechanism for the growth of gold nanostructures in a limited volume, which can be used for the controlled formation of nanostructures with a predetermined geometry and composition, has been proposed. The results observed in the present study can be useful for the design of plasmonic-active surfaces for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy-based detection of ultra-low concentration of different chemical or biological analytes, where the size of the localized gold nanostructures is comparable with the spot area of the focused laser beam.

Transient, Implantable, Ultrathin Biofuel Cells Enabled by Laser-Induced Graphene and Gold Nanoparticles Composite

“…Figure c and d show the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra of the LIG and LIG/Au NPs electrodes, the results of which highlight the chemical composites of the electrodes. The binding energies of 84.0 and 87.7 eV in XPS spectrum for the LIG/Au NPs composite associate with Au 4f 7/2 and 4f 5/2 core levels, demonstrating the presence of different binding states of Au (Figure c). , In contrast, no related binding energy levels for pure LIG electrode could be observed. Figure d shows the elements ratio of the carbon (C) for LIG and LIG/Au NP electrodes.…”

Growth mechanism study of silver nanostructures in a limited volume

“…Thus, by changing the pore volume, in theory, it is possible to vary the shape of nanostructures in a wide range. Previously, we have already partially demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach in creating structures with complex morphologies of copper [16], silver [17], and gold nanostructures [18,19] in the pores of SiO 2 /Si matrices. However, this approach to controlled synthesis of nanostructures has not yet received sufficient attention in the literature.…”

The influence of the synthesis conditions on the magnetic behaviour of the densely packed arrays of Ni nanowires in porous anodic alumina membranes

“…[11][12][13] Further, the magnetic materials based on an ordered array of ferromagnetic nanowires are interesting as a scientic object for pure research on magnetism in nanosystems. 14,15 There are two main emerging strategies for nanowire synthesis: based on the free-templated [16][17][18][19][20] and the templateassisted [21][22][23][24] methods. Among the solid template-based methods, the template-assisted electrochemical deposition of metals or their alloys is one of the most efficient and versatile techniques, which is widely used for the synthesis of nanowires inside the pores of polymer, Si/SiO 2 or porous anodic alumina matrices.…”

“…There are two main emerging strategies for nanowire synthesis: based on the free-templated 16–20 and the template-assisted 21–24 methods. Among the solid template-based methods, the template-assisted electrochemical deposition of metals or their alloys is one of the most efficient and versatile techniques, which is widely used for the synthesis of nanowires inside the pores of polymer, Si/SiO 2 or porous anodic alumina matrices.…”