Probing Nanoparticle Plasmons with Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy

Abstract

Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) performed in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) has demonstrated unprecedented power in the characterization of surface plasmons. The subangstrom spatial resolution achieved in EELS and its capability of exciting the full set of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) modes supported by a metallic nanostructure makes STEM/EELS an ideal tool in the study of LSPRs. The plasmonic properties characterized using EELS can be associated with geometric or structural features collected simultaneously in a STEM to achieve a deeper understanding of the plasmonic response. In this review, we provide the reader a thorough experimental description of EELS as a LSPR characterization tool and summarize the exciting recent progress in the field of STEM/EELS plasmon characterization.

Bimetallic nanostructures: combining plasmonic and catalytic metals for photocatalysis

“…In combination with ultrafast x-ray or electron diffraction, these studies can more definitively identify how these systems behave under illumination. Additionally, single and subparticle imaging and characterization techniques like transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy [110], cathodoluminescence spectroscopy [111], and super-resolution imaging can give nanoscopic insight as to how structure (i.e. shape, crystallinity, size) dictates intermetallic effects.…”

Plasmonic colloidosomes of black gold for solar energy harvesting and hotspots directed catalysis for CO2 to fuel conversion

“…The spatial distribution of localized surface plasmon modes was visualized by scanning transmission electron microscopyelectron energy loss spectroscopy (STEM-EELS) plasmon mapping. 24 Heterogeneity in the Au loading allowed us to study the effects of Au-Au particle distances and particle size distributions on plasmonic hotspot formation by analyzing only one sample but providing information on DPC-C1, C3, C4 and C6 samples, which contained spheres with similar Au NPs crowding. The plasmonic behavior of the DPC materials is highlighted in three main electron-loss regions: 1.3-1.6 eV, 1.6-1.8 eV, and 2.2-2.6 eV.…”

SERS background imaging – A versatile tool towards more reliable SERS analytics

“…hot spots 1-10 nm) 16 , the methods are strictly separated into near and far-eld optical methods. Near-eld optical tip-based methods like s-SNOM-SERS 17 and functionalised TERS 18,19 or electron microscopy-based methods like PEEM 19 and STEM/EELS 20 as well as super resolution-imaging 16,21 enable nanoscale mapping of localised surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) 20 , the electromagnetic eld enhancement [17][18][19] or of individual Raman bands 16,17,21 in hot spots and are important tools in fundamental research to study structural-functional relationships. Due to the high equipment expense, di cult handling and a low versatility these methods are however not common in applied analytical SERS research.…”