Synthesis and optical characterization of asymmetric multilayer metal–insulator nanocrescent in aqueous solutions

Abstract

Abstract The metal–insulator–metal (MIM) nanostructures on polystyrene sphere (PS) were fabricated by the sputtering method. Asymmetric PS-MIM nanocrescent (AMNC) was separated and dispersed into the solution employing the sonication method. The absorption properties of AMNC colloidal solution were measured and calculated with the use of spectroscopy and discrete dipole approximation methods. The results indicated that hybridization of elementary plasmons of individual AMNC particles played an important role in determining optical properties of this colloidal solution, which were determined to be functions of component layer thickness and particle density. These findings are expected to enhance the pharmaceutical deliveries and biosensor fabrication.