Core size matters! High Raman enhancing core tunable Au/Ag bimetallic core-shell nanoparticles

Bimetallic core-shell nanostructures have been attracted tremendous attention due to their ability to form novel materials with unique chemical, optical, and physical properties. Here, we have studied the influence of core size of Au/Ag bimetallic core-shell nanostructures on the Raman enhancement efficiency with the Raman-active probe methylene blue. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering intensity is increased with increase in the core size of Au/Ag bimetallic core-shell nanoparticles. Interestingly, the enhancement factor is found to be 6.58 x 10(7) for the Au-100/Ag core-shell nanoparticles and allows easy detection of analyte methylene blue. Thus, surface-enhanced Raman scattering properties of the metal nanoparticles are significantly enhanced due to the Au/Ag core-shell structures and the enhancement factor is dependent on the size of the core of the bimetallic nanoparticles.