Modifying graphene’s lattice dynamics by hot-electron injection from single gold nanoparticles

Abstract

Two-dimensional layered materials like graphene pave the way to advanced (opto-) electronic devices. Their extraordinary properties can be further controlled employing plasmonic nanostructures. The interplay between two-dimensional material and plasmonic nanostructures yields enhanced light focusing, large absorption cross sections, and hot-carrier generation due to the excitation and decay of localized surface plasmons. However, this interplay strongly depends on the particle's environment and geometry mandating the investigation of individual structures. Here, we show that Raman spectroscopy reveals locally resolved information about charge transfer, temperature, and strain distribution of graphene sheets in the vicinity of individual spherical gold nanoparticles. Hot-electrons are efficiently injected into graphene under resonant excitation of the localized surface plasmons of the gold nanoparticle. Additionally, heating of the graphene sheet and its intrinsic strain can be separated and quantified. Hence, the presented analysis provides unprecedented insights into the underlying microscopic physics enabling better device design in the future.

Exploring the Interface Landscape of Noble Metals on Epitaxial Graphene

“…Self‐assembly of noble metals (NMs) on weakly interacting 2D materials, including graphene, is a promising strategy for the synthesis of novel hybrid materials with nonconventional functionalities for electronics, [ 1–3 ] sensorics, [ 4–6 ] and catalytic applications. [ 7–10 ] The resulting synergy between graphene, which possesses extraordinary physical properties, [ 11–14 ] and plasmonically/catalytically active NMs [ 15–17 ] enables achieving enhanced output performance and stability in broadband and ultrafast photodetectors, [ 18 ] dye‐sensitized solar cells, [ 19 ] large area surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates, [ 20 ] and effective electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction in water splitting.…”

Dewetted Gold Nanostructures onto Exfoliated Graphene Paper as High Efficient Glucose Sensor

“…In particular, diabetes pathologies pushed the research to develop self-monitoring glucose and non-invasive glucose monitoring systems [5][6][7][8]. The electrochemical analytical method is attractive with respect to methods based on UV [9], plasmonic resonance [10], and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopies [11,12], on chromatography [13] and colorimetry [14], due to its easy fast monitoring, selectivity, sensitivity, simplicity of miniaturization and integration, stability, low-cost, and reliability [15]. Recently, the emergence of nanoscience and nanotechnology has led to great developments in electrochemical science and technology, which led to the new branch named electrochemical nanotechnology.…”

Field-Induced Assembly of sp-sp2 Carbon Sponges

“…Note that at any lower value of the applied field the DI water molecular dissociation would never start in our setup. For the detailed study of the synthesised complexes, we have performed the high resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy SEM using FEI Titan 3 with a spatial resolution of up to 2 Å and Quanta 200 3D with an energy-dispersive X-ray analyser (EDAX) column with a spatial resolution of up to 7 nm. To investigate optical properties of sponges, the dark sedimentation was deposited from a water solution on a substrate and dried at room temperature.…”

“…As an example, the recent publication [ 2 ] demonstrated a convenient approach for fabrication of highly stretchable supercapacitors based on vertically aligned nanotubes and nanowires with embedded gold NPs that allowed achieving an exceptional and robust electrochemical performance. The graphene sheets with incorporated metal NPs [ 3 ] are highly promising for THz-generation because of the possibility to inject hot carriers from the NPs to the graphene matrix. Also, linear sp-carbon chains stabilized by gold anchors attached to their ends [ 4 ] exhibit the formation of edge electron-hole states that trigger formation of bright excitons and trions.…”