Scaffold-Based Multi-nanoparticle Clusters as Tunable LSPR Substrates for SERS Applications.

Tunable local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) enhancement properties of scaffold-based multi-nanoparitcle clusters were investigated using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method with calculated optical spectra, near-field distribution, and average enhancement of hybrid nanostructures as slab/nanoparticls, cylinder/nanoparticles, and sphere/nanoparticles. Focusing on influence factors including surface curvature, coupling effect, and decorated particle number, several models were built for further understanding on the dominate contribution in complicate multi-particle nanostructure and to explore their potential for plasmonic enhancement applications such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), solar cells material, LSPR sensor, and nanoantenna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]