The field of plasmonic nano-additives is expanding beyond the targeted synthesis of energy-tuned absorption materials towardthe development of additive structures that efficiently translate the absorbed energy into a material response. In this work, themethodology to create gold nanostars with tailored extrusion features is optimized through a detailed investigation on the impactof each reaction chemical on the resulting structure morphology. Key elements including silver nitrate, ascorbic acid, andchloroauric acid concentrations are isolated to control nanostar tip length, symmetry, and quantity. Utilizing the optimized goldnanostarstructure, a Raman tag sensitive to the plasmon field is integrated into nanostar structure at defined locations to isolatethe regions of maximal plasmon intensity. The reporter molecule demonstrated an 18-fold enhancement in Raman signalintensity when adhered to the nanostar protrusions over other locations on the particle, isolating the area of highest plasmonintensity at the nanostar tips.
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