Surface plasmon resonance of Ag organosols: Experimental and theoretical investigations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the changes in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of silver (Ag) hydrosol and organosols obtained by experimental and theoretical approaches. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) of 5 +/- 1.5 nm in diameter were prepared in water by reduction of silver nitrate with sodium borohydride. Nanoparticles were subsequently transferred into different organic solvents (chloroform, hexane, toluene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene) using oleylamine as a transfer agent. These solvents were chosen because of the differences in their refractive indices. Using UV-Vis absorption spectrophotometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we confirmed that there were no shape and size changes of the nanoparticles upon the transfer to the organic phase. The absorption spectra of the obtained Ag organosols showed changes only in the position of the SPR band depending on the dielectric property of the used solvent. To analyze these changes, absorption spectra were modelled using Mie theory for small spherical particles. The experimental and theoretical resonance values were compared with those predicted by the Drude model and its limitations in the analysis of absorption behavior of Ag NPs in organic solvents were briefly discussed.