DDA-Based Simulation of UV–vis Extinction Spectra of Ag Nanorods Synthesized Through Seed-Mediated Growth Process

Abstract

Present investigation demonstrates a very simple seed-mediated route for the synthesis of silver nanorods in aqueous solution. Central to the concept of seed-mediated growth of nanoparticles is that small nanoparticle seeds serve as nucleation centres to grow nanoparticles to a desired size and shape. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) has been used as soft template for one-dimensional growth of silver particles. Morphological, structural and spectral changes that are associated with the seed-mediated growth of the nanoparticles in presence of HPMC are characterized using UV–vis and HR-TEM spectroscopic study. Simulation of UV–vis extinction spectra of our synthesized silver nanorods has been carried out using discrete dipole approximation methodology. The broad red-shifted longitudinal extinction band of green-coloured silver sol has been explained, due to the presence of silver nanorods of different aspect ratios.