Discrete dipole approximation analysis of plasmonic core/alloy nanoparticles.

The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties of Au/Au(x)Ag(1-x) core/alloy nanoparticles (NPs) have been investigated by means of the discrete dipole approximation. The core/alloy microstructure was varied by changing the shell alloy composition x, its thickness t(S), and the shell thickness to core radius ratio (t(S)/r(C)) in the range of 0.05-1.0. These changes resulted in a novel tuning of SPR shape, frequency, and extinction. These models were compared with experimental results for Au/Au(x)Ag(1-x) NPs prepared by a microwave-mediated hydrothermal processing method, which produces core/alloy NPs with SPR signatures closely resembling those of the models.