Single particle model of SnO2 deposition on silver nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles coated with almost uniform, thin shell of tin oxide are synthesized via a simple colloid chemistry technique, where the reduction of Ag4+ to Ag0 followed by the encapsulation of oxide takes place. The as prepared dispersions of tin oxide coated silver nanocomposite particles display a surface plasmon band, which is significantly red shifted with respect to that of bare Ag. Morphology of the composite nanoparticles was investigated by TEM. Presence of SnO2 shell on the silver nanoparticles was also supported by XPS results. A theoretical single particle model has been proposed for the formation of tin oxide shell on the silver nanoparticles.