Laser-induced synthesis of metallic silver-gold nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon nanospheres for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and toxins detection

Metallic silver-gold nanoparticles (1-5 nm) encapsulated into carbon nanospheres (20-30 nm) were synthesized via laser-induced chemical liquid phase deposition. The obtained carbon-silver-gold nanostructures were characterized by high specific surface area and demonstrated high sensitivity as a material for surface-enhanced Raman scattering and adsorption properties allowing analyte extraction from a dilute solution for quantitative monitoring of low concentration components. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.