Facile synthesis of core-shell-satellite Ag/C/Ag nanocomposites using carbon nanodots as reductant and their SERS properties

Ag/C nanoparticles with an ultrathin amorphous carbon shell of ca. 2 nm were synthesized for the first time through a facile hydrothermal approach using carbon nanodots as reductant. The well-defined core-shell-satellite Ag/C/Ag nanocomposites, which exhibit superior SERS properties to Ag/C particles, could be further obtained via subsequent ultrasonic irradiation.