Multiple Stepwise Synthetic Pathways toward Complex Plasmonic 2D and 3D Nanoframes for Generation of Electromagnetic Hot Zones in a Single Entity

Conspectus Rational design of nanocrystals with high controllability via wet chemistry is of critical importance in all areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology research. Specifically, morphologically complex plasmonic nanoparticles have received considerable attention because light–matter interactions are strongly associated with the size and shape of nanoparticles. Among many types of nanostructures, plasmonic nanoframes (NFs) with controllable structural intricacy could be excellent candidates as strong light-entrappers with inner voids as well as high surface area, leading to highly effective interaction with light and analytes compared to their solid counterparts. However, so far studies on single-rim-based NFs have suffered from insufficient near-field focusing capability due to their structural simplicity (e.g., a single rim or NF molded from simple platonic solids), which necessitates a conceptually new NF architecture. If one considers a stereoscopic nanostructure with dual, triple, and multiple resonant intra-nanogaps on each crystallographic facet of nanocrystals, unprecedented physicochemical properties could be expected. Realizing such complex multiple NFs with intraparticle surface plasmon coupling via localized surface plasmon resonance is very challenging due to the lack of synthetic strategic principles with systematic structural control, all of which require a deep understanding of surface chemistry. Moreover, realizing those complex architectures with high homogeneity in size and shape via a bottom-up method where diverse particle interactions are involved is more challenging. Although there have been several reports on NFs used for catalysis, techniques for production of structurally complex NFs with high uniformity and an understanding of the correlation between such complexity in a single plasmonic entity and electromagnetic near-field focusing have remained highly elusive. In this Account, we will summarize and highlight the rational synthetic pathways for the design of complex two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) NFs with unique inner rim structures and characterize their optical properties. This systematic strategy is based on publications from our group during the last 10 years. First, we will introduce a chemical step of shape transformation of triangular Au nanoplates to circular and hexagonal plates, which are used as sacrificial layers for the formation of NFs. Then, we will describe the methods on how to synthesize