Theoretical and Experimental Studies of the Optical Properties of Conjoined Gold-Palladium Nanospheres

We identify and report on UV-vis spectral features of AucorePdshell nanoparticles. Chains of conjoined nanospheres are formed with clear core/shell segregation and identified via experimental spectral red shifts of lambda(max) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging. Theoretical calculations performed using the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) validate our findings. The DDA simulation method is then used to delve further into possible spectroscopic implications of geometric and environmental changes. Structural configurations including extended chains of nanospheres, differing levels of nanosphere conjoinment, and increased Pd shell thickness are investigated, as well as variations of the surrounding dielectric medium.