Au and Ag/Au double-shells hollow nanoparticles with improved near infrared surface plasmon and photoluminescence properties.

Metallic hollow nanoparticles have been continuously drawing researcher's attention because of their excellent improved performance compare to the spherical particles in catalysis, photonics, information storage, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and sensors applications. In this article we demonstrate a novel route for the synthesis of single and double-shells Au and Ag/Au bimetallic hollow nanoparticles using elemental sulfur as a sacrificial core. We also investigate the optical properties of these new hollow particles and compare with that of pure spherical nanoparticles. The surface plasmon resonance spectra of solid Au, hollow single shell Au, and double shells Ag/Au nanoparticles show that there is gradual shifting of Au peak position towards the higher wavelengths for these three nanoparticles respectively. A similar observation was also found for photoluminescence spectra. In case of double-shells Ag/Au hollow nanoparticles the emission spectrum shifts towards the NIR region with significant higher intensity, which is beneficial for in vivo biomedical applications of these particles.