Gold Nanocubes
Gold nanocubes are a distinctive form of gold nanostructures, characterized by their geometrically precise cube-shaped morphology. Their sharp corners and flat faces confer specific optical and chemical properties that are exploited in various high-tech applications.
Applications
Gold nanocubes are highly effective catalysts due to their large surface areas and active facets. They are used in chemical reactions that require precision and efficiency, such as hydrogenation and oxidation reactions.
The sharp corners and high electromagnetic fields of gold nanocubes make them ideal for SERS applications. They enhance the Raman signals of molecules adsorbed on their surfaces, allowing for the detection of low concentrations of chemicals.
Like other gold nanostructures, gold nanocubes can absorb light and convert it into heat, making them useful in medical applications for targeting and destroying cancer cells with minimal damage to surrounding tissues.
Gold nanocubes can be used in sensors designed to detect pollutants and hazardous substances in the environment. Their sensitive surface plasmon resonance changes upon interaction with different chemicals, providing a means for rapid and accurate detection.
Properties
- Sharp Corners and Edges: The corners and edges of gold nanocubes can generate extremely high electromagnetic fields, particularly useful in enhancing surface plasmon resonance effects. This feature is critical for applications in sensing and surface-enhanced spectroscopies.
- Surface Plasmon Resonance: Similar to other gold nanostructures, gold nanocubes exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), but their cubic shape leads to distinct resonance modes depending on the polarization and direction of incident light. These properties can be tuned by adjusting the size and material composition of the nanocubes.
- High Surface Area: The cubic shape provides a large surface area to volume ratio, which is advantageous for catalytic and surface-based reactions, including adsorption and sensor surface modifications.