Three-dimensional Pt-coated Au nanoparticle arrays: applications for electrocatalysis and surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

This study demonstrates a novel approach to synthesis methods for core-shell nanoparticle assembly using nanoparticle trapping at an interface and subsequent transfer onto a substrate for electrochemical ultrathin layer coating. The transferred nanoparticle array can have a tunable surface area depending on the number of transferred layers. Subsequently coating the surface with Pt-group metals that behave as an ultrathin film provides electrocatalytic activities with respect to a variety of chemical reactions, depending on the properties of the selected coating materials. The transferred 3D Au nanoparticle arrays act as a high-surface-area platform for the diversity of overlayer materials. The resulting 3D core-shell nanoparticle films could be utilized as a highly active electrocatalysis and Raman scattering substrate. The approach provides a versatile and convenient synthesis route to new nanoporous material with tailorable pore structure and material properties through bottom-up assembly.