Synthesis of bismuth nanocap arrays on quartz substrates and their surface plasmon resonance properties

Bismuth nanocap arrays have been prepared by vacuum depositing Bi films onto the surfaces of self-assembled monolayer arrays of SiO2 nanoparticles. The surface morphologies, structures, and optical properties of the obtained samples have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and ultraviolet–visible–near infrared (UV–vis–NIR) spectrophotometer. TEM and AFM images indicated that the SiO2/Bi composite nanoparticles were incompletely encapsulated and their surfaces were relatively rough. UV–vis–NIR absorption spectra showed that Bi nanocap arrays had strong and tunable surface plasmon resonance peaks in the visible and near infrared regions, which were dependent dramatically on the relative ratio of the SiO2 core diameter to the Bi cap thickness.

► We prepared Bi nanocap arrays by chemical synthesis and vacuum thermal evaporation.
► Bi nanocap arrays exhibited unique plasmonic properties as like as noble metals.
► Bi nanocap arrays had strong and tunable surface plasmon resonance peaks.
► The absorption peaks red-shifted with increasing the core/cap ratio.