In this paper, Au–Ag alloy hollow nanochains (HNCs) were successfully prepared by a template-free self-assembly method achieved by partial substitution of ligands. The obtained Au–Ag alloy HNCs exhibit stronger enhancement… Click to show full abstract
In this paper, Au–Ag alloy hollow nanochains (HNCs) were successfully prepared by a template-free self-assembly method achieved by partial substitution of ligands. The obtained Au–Ag alloy HNCs exhibit stronger enhancement as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates than Au–Ag alloy hollow nanoparticles (HNPs) and Au nanochains substrates with an intensity ratio of about 1.3:1:1. Finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations show that the SERS enhancement of Au–Ag alloy HNCs substrates is produced by a synergistic effect between the plasmon hybridization effect associated with the unique alloy hollow structure and the strong “hot spot” in the interstitial regions of the nanochains.
               
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