Due to the unique ability of metallic nanoparticles to change their optical properties depending on their size and morphology there is an ever increreasing need to not only discover new methods for their anisotropic synmthesis but also to understand more fully the processes which lead to this shape directed growth The aim of this research was both the wet chemical and the electrochemical synthesis of metallic nanoparticles and nanorods for the construction of films appropriate for their use in Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy in analytical applications. For this, a controlled nucleation and growth strategy coupled to ultrasonic pulses has been investigated. The kinetics of the electrochemical phase transformation of silver onto both platinum and glassy carbon along with the influence of pulse parameters on current density in varying conditions were systematically studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and potential step experiments. Nucleation and growth were controlled independently and electrodeposited small clusters were dislodged using an ultrasonic pulse at an appropriate time of the nucleation-growth sequence. Monodisperse silver nanoparticles of varing sizes stabilised by polyvinylpyrrohdone have been synthesised and were characterised by UV-Vis Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:494096 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Ritson, David R. |
| Publisher | University of Liverpool |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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