Electroless synthesis of Ag nanoparticles on deposited nanostructured Si films

Two and three-dimensional Ag nanoparticle ensembles were synthesized on deposited nanostructured columnvoid Si films simply by film immersion into pure Ag2SO4 or AgNO3 solutions. In addition to functioning as a reducer, this nanostructured material provides immobilization and monodispersion of the Ag nanoparticles due to its systematic nanoscale topography. This is accomplished without the requirement of a surfactant, capping agent, or linker. Kinetics, as monitored from plasmon optical extinction, and infrared spectroscopy suggest accompanying oxide growth limits and finally inhibits synthesis enabling nanoparticle size control. Kinetics is also limited by Ag+ transport through the voids unless the Si film is ultrathin. Our synthesis approach offers significant advantages for surface-enhanced molecular detection, including the absence of any agents on the nanoparticle surfaces and the ability to obtain nanoparticle ensembles on any substrate.