Plasmonic Metal Oxide Nanocrystals via Surface Anchoring of Redox-Active Phosphorus Species

We demonstrate a general and simple postsynthetic method for the generation of plasmonic oxide nanocrystals via surface anchoring of redox-active phosphorus species. The processes are initiated by the reaction between tris(trimethylsilyl)-phosphine and the surface hydroxyl groups, resulting in surface-anchored redox-active phosphorus species. The following redox reactions generate free electrons in oxide nanocrystals, accompanied by the valance-state changes of the surface-anchored P from -III to +V. The resulting nanocrystals show tunable plasmon resonance peaks in the near-infrared or mid-infrared regime. The postsynthetic redox chemistry demonstrated in this work shall inspire new design of methodologies for the development of plasmonic oxide nanocrystals.

Automated summary

A general and simple postsynthetic method for generating plasmonic oxide nanocrystals was demonstrated via the surface anchoring of redox-active phosphorus species. The redox reactions in the oxide nanocrystals produce free electrons and induce valance-state changes of the anchored phosphorus species, resulting in tunable plasmon resonance peaks. This work inspires new design methodologies for plasmonic oxide nanocrystals through postsynthetic redox chemistry.