Volume 58, Issue 10 pp. 3147-3150
Communication

Synthesis of Plasmonic Group-4 Nitride Nanocrystals by Solid-State Metathesis

Reem A. Karaballi

Reem A. Karaballi

Chemistry Department, Dalhousie University, 6274 Coburg Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

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Govinda Humagain

Govinda Humagain

Chemistry Department, Dalhousie University, 6274 Coburg Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

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Benjamin R. A. Fleischman

Benjamin R. A. Fleischman

Chemistry Department, Dalhousie University, 6274 Coburg Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

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Prof. Mita Dasog

Corresponding Author

Prof. Mita Dasog

Chemistry Department, Dalhousie University, 6274 Coburg Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

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First published: 15 January 2019
Citations: 37

Graphical Abstract

Ready to plassemble: The synthesis of TiN, ZrN, and HfN nanocrystals using solid-state metathesis is reported. The nanocrystals, which are dispersible in water, show localized surface plasmonic resonances in the near infrared (TiN) and visible region (ZrN, HfN) of light. This makes them ideal for applications like photothermal therapy or plasmon-enhanced sensing.

Abstract

Ceramic nanoparticles that exhibit a plasmonic response are promising next-generation photonic materials. In this contribution, a solid-state metathesis method has been reported for the synthesis of Group 4 nitride (TiN, ZrN, and HfN) nanocrystals. A high-temperature (1000 °C) reaction between Group 4 metal oxide (TiO2, ZrO2, and HfO2) nanoparticles and magnesium nitride powder yielded nitride nanocrystals that were dispersible in water. A localized surface plasmonic resonance was observed in the near-infrared region for TiN and in the visible region of light for ZrN and HfN nanocrystals. The frequency of the plasmon resonance was dependent on the refractive index of the solvent and the nanocrystal size.

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