Gold Nanostars For Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering: Synthesis, Characterization and Optimization

The controlled synthesis of high-yield gold nanostars of varying sizes, their characterization, and their use in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurements are reported for the first time. Gold nanostars ranging from 45 to 116 nm in size were synthesized in high yield, geometrically and statistically modeled, and optically characterized using transmission and scanning electron microscopy and UV−visible absorption spectroscopy. The nanostar characterization involved studying both morphology evolution over time and size as a function of nucleation (injected seed volume). The nanostar properties as substrates for SERS were investigated and compared with respect to size. As the overall star size…