On the role of 4-methoxypyridine in the electrochemical formation of plasmonic gold nanoparticles
Date
2020-11-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Doctoral
Abstract
This thesis details an electrochemical approach to generate homogenous and densely populated films of anisotropic gold nanoparticles. The electrochemistry of coinage metals in the presence of the ligand 4-methoxypyridine (MOP) is described in detail and the role of the ligand in the formation of nanoparticle films on conductive substrates is discussed. The thesis demonstrates application of Stopped-flow UV-Vis spectroscopy to evaluate and study the kinetics of the homogenous chemistry of MOP with the gold salt precursor. It discusses the role of Au(I) ions, and the different species involved in the complex Au-MOP system by thermodynamic and kinetic analysis. The thesis illustrates the excellent suitability of these nanoparticle films for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) applications utilizing near-IR excitation sources. The chronoamperometric study described in the thesis demonstrates the nucleation and growth mechanism of the electrodeposited gold nanostructures. Overall, the work described in this thesis outlines the advancement of electrochemical platforms that pertains to the potential applications of anisotropic gold nanostructures by tuning the shapes and size of the nanostructures.
Description
Keywords
Anisotropic gold nanoparticles, Electrochemistry
Citation
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
Chemistry
Program
Chemistry