Plasma Based Synthesis, Electron Microscopy, and Optical Characterization of Au-, Ag-, and Ag/Au-Core–Shell Nanoparticles

Metal nanoparticles are commonly used for a wide range of applications. This paper presents a novel synthesis method using plasma vapor deposition and a subsequent thermal treatment to produce homogeneous particles within the nanometer range. A combination of high resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy studies as well as ultraviolet/visible light transmission measurements are employed in order to characterize crystallographic, microstructural, and optical properties of gold, silver, and core–shell bimetallic nanostructures on a titania surface. The nanostructural size and composition of the core–shell nanostructures and therefore their optical properties could be directly adjusted by the plasma process parameters and/or the postdeposition thermal treatment of the samples.