Peapod-Type Nanocomposites through the In Situ Growth of Gold Nanoparticles within Preformed Hexaniobate Nanoscrolls

Abstract

A facile in situ method to grow Au nanoparticles (NPs) in hexaniobate nanoscrolls is applied to the formation of plasmonic Au@hexaniobate and bifunctional plasmonic-magnetic Au-Fe3O4@hexaniobate nanopeapods (NPPs). Utilizing a solvothermal treatment, rigid multiwalled hexaniobate nanoscrolls and partially filled Fe3O4@hexaniobate NPPs were first fabricated. These nanostructures were then used as templates for the controlled in situ growth of Au NPs. The resulting peapod structures exhibited high filling fractions and long-range uniformity. Optical measurements showed a progressive red shift in plasmonic behavior between Au NPs, Au NPPs, and Au-Fe3O4 NPPs; magnetic studies found that the addition of gold in the Fe3O4@hexaniobate NPPs reduced interparticle coupling effects. The development of this approach allows for the routine bulk preparation of noble-metal-containing bifunctional nanopeapod materials.