AVS 52nd International Symposium
    Nanometer-Scale Science and Technology Tuesday Sessions
       Session NS+BI-TuA

Paper NS+BI-TuA4
Surface Modification and Morphological Stabilization of Silver Nanoparticles

Tuesday, November 1, 2005, 3:00 pm, Room 210

Session: Molecular and Biological Applications of Nanostructures
Presenter: V.H. Perez-Luna, Illinois Institute of Technology
Authors: V.H. Perez-Luna, Illinois Institute of Technology
A. Dalwadi, Illinois Institute of Technology
S. Lee, Illinois Institute of Technology
Correspondent: Click to Email
Metallic nanoparticles exhibit unique optical properties due to the oscillation of surface plasmons when excited by visible light. These optical properties are shape dependent and different modes of excitation can occur for anisomeric nanoparticles (e.g. due to transversal and longitudinal oscillation of surface plasmons). Thus, the optical properties of these systems can be changed without modifying their chemical composition. A wide variety of methods for the synthesis of anisomeric metallic nanoparticles (e.g.; triangular slabs, multipods, nanorods) have been developed over the last couple of decades. However, technological applications of these systems have not been extensively implemented in spite of their great potential for surface enhanced emission of fluorescence and Raman scattering. One of the biggest obstacles is the inherent morphological instability of these systems and processing difficulties that may lead to irreversible aggregation. Surface modification of gold and silver nanoparticles with alkane thiol based self-assembled monolayers could help circumvent these problems and allow for technological applications with great potential in biodetection assays. Experimental studies will be presented illustrating the improved morphological stability and tailored properties of surface modified nanoparticles. Experimental evidence of the strong influence exerted by metallic surfaces on emission of fluorescence will be presented. The potential of surface modified Ag and Au nanorods will be discussed with particular emphasis on biological detection assays.