Shape and size control as well as the control of the assembly of nanostructures are current challenges in nano sciences. Focussing on metal nanostructures all of these aspects have been addressed in the frame of the present work. It was possible to develop a new aqueous seeded growth method that produces gold nanoparticles with adjustable diameters over a large range of sizes. The spherical particles obtained show very low polydispersities and a good long term stability. Furthermore it was possible to reveal the growth mechanism of these particles utilizing electron microscopy and optical investigations coupled with theoretical calculations. It was found that there is a formation of small nucleation sites on the surface of the seeds in the beginning of the growth process. These sites then subsequently grow into "blackberry-like" intermediate particles. A final intraparticle ripening step leads to smooth and uniform spherical gold nanoparticles. By correcting the dielectric function of gold for charging and the free mean path effect and taking into account the particle size distribution it was possible to accurately model the optical properties of the gold sols obtained using Mie theory. By controlling the concentration of chloride ions it was possible to influence both the ripening of the "blackberry-like" shaped particles and the morphology of gold nanoparticles. An increased concentration of the chloride ions in the standard citrate reduction procedure leads to larger and elongated particles, whereas the complete removal of the chloride ions made it possible to obtain star shaped, decahedral and \"desert-rose\" shaped particle morphologies. Using the layer-by-layer technique gold nanoparticles of different sizes could be immobilized on glass substrates. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering intensity of these mixed films were about 60% higher than compared to a film made of a single particle size. The optical properties were further investigated by comparing experimentally obtained UV/Vis spectra with generalized Mie theory simulations. Additionally it could be shown that tetrazole and its derivatives are suitable stabilizing agents in the aqueous synthesis of silver nanoparticles. It was found that depending on the tetrazole derivative used the tendencies of the nanoparticles to agglomerate vary significantly. Different agglomeration stages have been investigated by UV/Vis and Raman spectroscopy. The removal of the ligands used and a resulting improvement of the applicability of the silver nanostructures as SERS substrates is still a challenge. In the last part of this work the focus was changed from the optical properties of noble metal nanoparticles to their catalytic properties. Therefore gold and palladium nanoparticles have been successfully immobilized on highly porous zinc oxide aerogels. It was possible to synthesize sponge-, flake-, and ribbon-like zinc oxide gels with high specific surface areas. The facile approach of generating mixed metal oxide/noble metal aerogels is very promising for the preparation of highly selective and highly active heterogenous catalysts. First catalytic investigations of a sponge-like palladium loaded zinc oxide aerogel toward the semi-hydrogenation of acetylene showed very high selectivities of up to 85%.

Metal nanoparticles have recently gained popularity in many research areas due to their nanosize-related properties. Depending on the size of the metal nanoparticle, their mode of interaction with electromagnetic radiation and the outcome of this interaction vary; in turn the effect exerted on a protein which is conjugated to a nanoparticle varies, because different sized nanoparticles demonstrate different modes of energy transfer with electromagnetic radiation and molecules conjugated to them. Very small cluster with sizes around 1 – 1.2 nm tend to get excited by incident light and emit fluorescence, whereas larger nanoparticles absorb the incoming light very strongly due to their LSPR. In this study we observed the outcomes of the interaction between two types of nanoparticles, namely gold and gold/silver alloyed nanoparticles with the fluorescence emission of two fluorophores, namely eGFP and rPhiYFP; and demonstrated a bioassay where the fluorescence modulation by gold nanoparticles can be used as the sensing strategy. Lastly, we demonstrated the potential of autofluorescent gold nanoparticles as intracellular reporters.

Les propriétés optiques et vibrationnelles de nanoparticules métalliques individuelles ont été étudiées par spectroscopie par modulation spatiale (SMS), avec une attention particulière aux effets de forme, composition, environnement local, ainsi que de couplage inter-particule. La réponse optique de nanoparticules (métalliques au cœur-couronne métal-diélectrique) allongées et des particules bimétalliques (hétérodimères or-argent) a été mesuré et en suite interprétée grâce à une corrélation avec la caractérisation morphologique de la même particule obtenue par microscopie à transmission électronique et avec des simulations par éléments finis prenants en compte la réelle géométrie du nano-objet et le substrat. Une technique pompe sonde résolue en temps a été en suite utilisée pour étudier le profil Fano dans l'absorption d'une particule d'or au sein d'un hétérodimères or-argent. Sur une échelle de temps des quelques dizaines de picosecondes, les vibrations acoustiques multimodales de nanobipyramides d'or individuelles ont été optiquement détectées et caractérisées par rapport à un modèle élastique classique / Optical and vibrational properties of individual metal-based nanoparticles have been investigated by spatial modulation spectroscopy (SMS), focusing on their dependence on nano-object shape, composition, environment and inter-particle coupling. Quantitative investigations of the optical response, and in particular, the surface plasmon resonance (extinction cross-section amplitude, spectral position and linewidth) of elongated metal or metal-dielectric (gold nanorods, nanobipyramids with or without silica coating) and bimetallic (gold-silver heterodimers) nanoparticles deposited on a substrate have first been performed. The same nanoparticles were characterized by electron microscopy permitting quantitative interpretation of their optical response using finite element numerical simulations, taking into account the influence of the substrate. Combining SMS microscopy with a high sensitivity femtosecond two-color pump-probe setup, the ultrafast dynamics of single nano-objects has been investigated. The Fano absorption profile of a gold nanoparticle within a single gold-silver heterodimer, a parameter not accessible by linear spectroscopy, was directly measured. On a picosecond time-scale, multimodal acoustic vibrations of single gold nanobipyramids were optically lunched and detected, and their features compared to a model based on continuum elasticity

Metal nanoparticles have recently gained popularity in many research areas due to their nanosize-related properties. Depending on the size of the metal nanoparticle, their mode of interaction with electromagnetic radiation and the outcome of this interaction vary; in turn the effect exerted on a protein which is conjugated to a nanoparticle varies, because different sized nanoparticles demonstrate different modes of energy transfer with electromagnetic radiation and molecules conjugated to them. Very small cluster with sizes around 1 – 1.2 nm tend to get excited by incident light and emit fluorescence, whereas larger nanoparticles absorb the incoming light very strongly due to their LSPR. In this study we observed the outcomes of the interaction between two types of nanoparticles, namely gold and gold/silver alloyed nanoparticles with the fluorescence emission of two fluorophores, namely eGFP and rPhiYFP; and demonstrated a bioassay where the fluorescence modulation by gold nanoparticles can be used as the sensing strategy. Lastly, we demonstrated the potential of autofluorescent gold nanoparticles as intracellular reporters.

Ädelfors is situated ca 17 km east of Vetlanda, Jönköping County, in the N-S striking Trans-scandinavian igneous belt and is a part of the NE-SW striking 1.83-1.82 Ga Oskarshamn-Jönköping belt emplaced during a continental subduction towards the Svecofennian continental margin. The continental arc hosts the 1.83 Ga metasedimentary Vetlanda supergroup composed of foliated metagreywacke, metasandstone and metaconglomerate. The sequence is intercalated by mafic and felsic volcanites and hosts the Cu-Au-Fe-mines at Ädelfors. Ädelfors mining field consists of ca 330 mineralized quartz veins hosting both copper, gold and iron. The iron mines Nilsson’s iron mine (NFE) and Fe-mine (FE), the copper mine Kamelen (KM) and the gold mines Brånad’s mine (BR), Adolf Fredrik’s mine (AF), Old Kron mine (GKR), Old Kolhag’s mine (GKO), Thörn mine (TH), New Galon mine (NG), Stenborg’s mine (ST), Tysk mine (TG), Hällaskallen (HS) and Fridhem (FR) have been investigated to deduce a possible genetic relation between the veins and their origin. Sulfur isotope ratios have also been conducted on pyrite from KM, AF and FE. The veins can stucturally be divided into several groups. AF, GKR, ST, NG, TH and possibly NFE are striking 10-70° with a dip of 55-70°. BR, GKO and KM are striking 110-140° with a dip of 80-90° whereas TG and HS strike 90-110° dipping 85°. Fridhem, being distal to the other mines, strikes 70° and dips 80°. A chlorite-quartz-biotite-sericite-rich metapelite hosts the veins in all localities except; FR where a layered, beresitizised felsic volcanite rich in plagioclase, sericite, biotite and quartz hosts disseminated pyrite; and NFE, HS and NG which are hosted by a mafic tuffite. Quartz veins are mainly milky and equigranular, exceptions are FE with black pyrite-bearing quartz veins, cutting through the banded magnetite-metapelite and KM with its dynamically recrystallized quartz. Chlorite-, zeolite-, carbonate-, hematite-, amphibole-, kalifeldspar-, sericite-, biotite- and epidote alteration has been observed among the localities. The ore minerals are dominated by: fractured sub- to euhedral pyrite in cataclastic aggregates or selvage bands, interstitial chalcopyrite in pyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, gold and sporadic chalcopyrite diseased sphalerite and arsenopyrite. Previously not reported tetradymite, staurolite, galena and Ce-monazite have also been observed. Bismuthinite and tetradymite as inclusions in pyrite were observed in AF, GKR, FR and TG. Gold was observed in AF, BR, GKR and TG as inclusions in pyrite or quartz with a Au/Ag median of 78.41. HS distinguishes itself with Au/Ag ratios of 4.66-5.25. The trace element ratios in pyrite reveal two major types of pyrite. 1) found in FE and KM (pyrite type 1) with Co/Ni ratio of 10.94, Bi/Au of 1.79, Bi/S of 0.037, Au/Ag of 11.13, S/Se of 235.96 and As/S of 0.006. 2) found in NG, GKO, ST, TH, AF, NFE, HS, GKR, BR, FR, TG and as stringers in KM4 py1 pyrite type 2) with an average Co/Ni ratio of 5.26, Bi/Au of 1.95, Bi/S of 0.031, Au/Ag of 4.19, S/Se of 0 and As/S of 0. δ34S values strengthens this grouping as KM and FE has 1,3-2,6 ‰ and AF 3,6-3,8 ‰. The following geological interpretation has been concluded: The banded iron formation in FE is the earliest mineralization and was later fractured, emplacing quartz veins with pyrite of type 1. During this event, the Cu-vein in KM was also formed. A second generation of fractures, emplaced after the Småland granitoids formed, were filled with quartz and pyrite of type 2 at mesozonal depth. This is the main stage of gold mineralization and includes NG, GKO, ST, TH, AF, NFE, GKR, BR, FR and TG. During this event, pyrite of type 2 was added to KM, causing recrystallizing of the quartz. HS is possibly emplaced last or altered as it is more enriched in silver. Morphology, mineralogy, alterations, mineral chemistry and sulfur isotope signatures indicates an orogenic origin of the gold-rich quartz veins at Ädelfors as well as the copper-rich vein in KM. / Ädelfors ligger ca 17 km öster om Vetlanda, Jönköpings län, i det N-S strykande Transskandinaviska granit och porfyrbältet och är en del av det NÖ-SV strykande 1,83-1,82 Ga Oskarshamn-Jönköpingsbältet (OJB) bildad i en kontinental subduktionszon i kanten av den Svecofenniska kontinentalplattan. I denna kontinentalbåge ligger Vetlanda supergruppen som är en metasedimentär del av OJB bestående av starkt folierad 1,83 Ga metagråvacka, metasandsten och metakonglomerat med inlagringar av mafiska och felsiska vulkaniter. Ädelfors gruvfält består utav ca. 330 kvartsgångar förande mestadels guld men också koppar. Järnmineraliseringar i form av bandad järnmalm finns också i området. Geologin, mineralogin och pyritens kemiska sammansättning från järngruvorna Nilssons järngruva (NFE) och Fe-gruvan (FE), koppargruvan Kamelen (KM) och guldgruvorna Brånadsgruvan (BR), Adolf Fredriks gruva (AF), Gamla Krongruvan (GKR), Gamla Kolhagsgruvan (GKO), Thörngruvan (TH), Nya Galongruvan (NG), Stenborgs gruva (ST), Tyskgruvan (TG), Hällaskallen (HS) och Fridhem (FR) har undersökts för att finna eventuella genetiska likheter. Svavelisotopförhållande har fastställts för pyrit från AF, FE och KM. Strukturellt kan gångarna delas in i ett antal grupper. AF, GKR, ST, NG, TH och möjligtvis NFE stryker 10-70° och stupar 55-70°. BR, GKO och KM stryker 110-140° och stupar 80-90° medan TG och HS stryker 90-110° och stupar 85°. Fridhem stryker 70° och stupar 80°. En klorit-kvarts-sericit-biotitrik metapelit utgör värdbergarten i alla gruvor förutom; FR där den utgörs av en beresitiserad felsisk vulkanit rik på plagioklas, sericit, biotit och kvarts med disseminerad pyrit; och NFE, HS, NG vilka har en mafisk tuffitisk moderbergart. Kvartsgångarna är mjölkvita med undantag för FE:s svarta, pyritförande kvarts vilket uppträder som sprickfyllnad i den bandade järnmalmen och är senare bildad. Kvartsen i KM är starkt dynamiskt omkristalliserad. Svag till måttlig foliation är vanlig i sidoberget med undantag av stark foliation i TG och NFE, vilka är lokaliserade i förkastningssprickor med stark kloritförskiffring av värdbergarten. Klorit-, zeolit-, karbonat-, hematit-, amfibol-, kalifältspat-, sericit-, biotit- och epidotomvandling förekommer i majoriteten av lokalerna. Malmmineralen är dominerande sprött deformerad subhedral till euhedral pyrit som kataklastiska aggregat eller band, interstitiell kopparkis i pyrit, markasit, magnetkis, guld och sporadiskt kopparkissjuk zinkblände och arsenikkis. I det här arbetet har även tetradymit, staurolit, blyglans och Ce-monazit observerats. Bismutinit och tetradymit i form av inneslutningar i pyrit observerades i AF, GKR, FR och TG. Guld observerades i AF, BR, GKR och TG som inneslutningar i pyrit eller fritt i kvarts med Au/Ag medianvärde på 78,41, avvikande är HS med värden mellan 4,66-5,25.    Förhållanden mellan spårelement i pyrit indikerar två typer av pyrit. Typ 1 funnen i FE och KM har följande värden: Co/Ni = 10,94, Bi/Au = 1,79, Bi/S = 0,037, Au/Ag = 11,13, S/Se = 235,96 och As/S = 0,006. Typ 2 funnen i NG, GKO, ST, TH, AF, NFE, HS, GKR, BR, FR, TG och som sliror i KM4 py1 har följande värden Co/Ni = 5,26, Bi/Au = 1,95, Bi/S = 0,031, Au/Ag = 4,19, S/Se = 0 and As/S = 0. δ34S värden styrker denna uppdelning där KM och FE har värdena 1,3-2,6 ‰ och AF 3,6-3,8 ‰. Den geologiska utvecklingen av fältet har tolkats som följande: FE-gruvans bandade järnmalm är den tidigaste mineraliseringen vilket följs utav uppsprickning och läkning av kvarts med pyrit typ 1 som också bildar kopparmineraliseringen KM. Senare sprickzoner efter Smålandsgraniternas intrusion läks av kvarts med pyrit typ 2 på mesozonalt djup vilket bildar NG, GKO, ST, TH, AF, NFE, GKR, BR, FR, TG och omkristalliserar och introducerar nya pyritsliror i kvartsen i KM. HS bildas möjligtvis sist eller har blivit omvandlad eftersom den är anrikad på silver. Morfologi, omvandlingar och svavelisotop-signaturer tyder på ett orogent ursprung för Ädelfors guldrika kvartsådror samt den kopparrika kvartsådern i KM.