Silver (Ag) nanocubes have garnered significant attention in the field of nanophotonics due to their capability to generate strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks and hotspots, thereby enabling high-sensitivity molecular detection and...
Silver (Ag) nanocubes have garnered significant attention in the field of nanophotonics due to their capability to generate strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks and hotspots, thereby enabling high-sensitivity molecular detection and label-free bioimaging. While nanoscale Ag cubes exhibit these properties, scaling them up to the microscale while preserving sharpness and uniformity is essential for enhanced surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) effects and practical sensor applications. However, conventional synthesis methods encounter challenges in maintaining high-quality attributes during size enlargement.
In this study, single-crystal Ag nanocubes were synthesized using the polyol reduction method, and uniform microcubes were produced through optimization of seed-mediated growth. Experiments involving mixed precursors (AgNO3 and CF3COOAg) and a single precursor (AgNO3) were performed to achieve a balanced control over reduction rates, shape, and uniformity. Initial seed nanocubes (average diameter d = 47.90 nm, relative standard deviation RSD = 7%) were enlarged via iterative growth stages. By employing an optimized AgNO3:CF3COOAg ratio of 8:2 in the early stages and switching to AgNO3 as the sole precursor in subsequent stages, microcubes attained d = 2.61 μm with RSD = 5.23% at the seventh growth stage, exhibiting enhanced uniformity. This approach overcomes size limitations in Ag nanocube synthesis, facilitating practical applications in LSPR- and SEIRA-based molecular sensing and
biosensors.