Seeded growth of robust SERS-active 2D Au@Ag nanoparticulate films

We demonstrate herein a novel and versatile solution-based methodology for fabricating self-organized two-dimensional (2D) Au nanoparticle arrays on glass using in situ nucleation at an aminosilane monolayer followed by seeded, electroless growth; subsequent deposition of Ag produced Au@Ag core–shell nanoparticulate films which proved highly promising as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platforms.