Rapid, green synthesis and surface-enhanced Raman scattering effect of single-crystal silver nanocubes

Single-crystal silver (Ag) nanocubes have been synthesized by a rapid and green method at room temperature by adding sodium hydroxide solution to the mixed solutions of silver nitrate, glucose and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible (UV–visible) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the phase composition and morphology. The results showed that the as-prepared particles were single-crystal Ag nanocubes with edge lengths of around 77 nm and a growing direction along {1 0 0} facets. As substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) experiment on crystal violet (CV), the SERS enhancement factor of the as-prepared Ag nanocubes were measured to be 5.5 × 104, indicating potential applications in chemical and biological analysis.

► The green–rapid method synthesizes silver nanocubes by adding NaOH solution to the mixed solutions of silver nitrate, glucose and PVP. ► These nanocubes with edge length of ab. 77 nm are single-crystal and the growth direction is along {1 0 0} facets. ► The SERS enhancement factor of the as-prepared Ag nanocubes is measured to be 5.5 × 104.