Silver Nanostructures on Silicon Based on Galvanic Displacement Process

A simple and versatile process, based on a galvanic displacement reaction, is presented that provides controlled growth of different silver structures on silicon including thin films, nanocrystals, nanoparticles, and more complex structures termed nanodesert rose. Structure selection is achieved by choosing a suitable ratio of AgF:KF in the plating solution, in the absence of any other additive, and by changing immersion times and precursor concentrations. We demonstrate the usefulness of some of these nanostructures as reproducible surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates.