Synthesis of Hollow Gold-Silver Alloyed Nanoparticles: A "Galvanic Replacement" Experiment for Chemistry and Engineering Students

by Jenkins, Samir V.; Gohman, Taylor D.; Miller, Emily K.; Chen, Jingyi

The rapid academic and industrial development of nanotechnology has led to its implementation in laboratory teaching for undergraduate-level chemistry and engineering students. This laboratory experiment introduces the galvanic replacement reaction for synthesis of hollow metal nanoparticles and investigates the optical properties of these nanoparticles. Changes of localized surface plasmon resonance from solid to hollow nanoparticles are monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy, while corresponding morphological changes are validated by transmission electron microscopy. The optical properties are further investigated by the use of a laser pointer, laser irradiation, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. By performing these experiments, students gain practical knowledge for the synthesis of hollow metal nanoparticles and the underlying structure-dependent optical properties.

Journal
Journal of Chemical Education
Volume
92
Issue
6
Year
2015
Start Page
1056-1060
URL
https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5b00042
ISBN/ISSN
1938-1328; 0021-9584
DOI
10.1021/acs.jchemed.5b00042