Pustovit V.N., Shahbazyan T.V.
Jackson State University, US
Keywords: nanoparticles, Raman spectroscopy
We present a microscopic theory of quantum-size effects in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) from molecules adsorbed on small metal nanoparticles. In noble-metal nanoparticles, the confining potential has different effect on s-band and d-band electrons. Namely, the spillout of delocalized sp-electrons beyond the classical nanoparticle boundary results in an incomplete embedding of s-electron distribution in the background of localized d-electrons whose density profile follows more closely the classical shape. We demonstrate that a reduction of d-electron screening in the surface layer leads to the enhancement of the surface plasmon local field acting on a molecule located in a close proximity to metal surface. Our numerical calculations of Raman enhancement factor, performed using time-dependent local density approximation, show additional enhancement of the Raman signal which becomes more pronounced for small nanoparticles due to the larger ratio of surface layer to overall nanoparticle size.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Technical Proceedings of the 2005 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 2
Published: May 8, 2005
Pages: 37 - 41
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Nanoparticle Synthesis & Applications
ISBN: 0-9767985-1-4