Perpendicular silver nanowire arrays on an ITO/glass substrate for plasmonic applications

Ordered metal nanoparticle arrays are currently considered for novel optoelectronic and magnetic applications due to their unique properties. Template-grown ordered nanorod or nanowire arrays in particular are very interesting since they can be produced inexpensively over large scales and have tailorable properties. In this study, synthesis and properties of silver (Ag) nanowire arrays grown on transparent conducting indium tin oxide/glass substrate using thin-film anodic alumina nano-templates are investigated. The optical (plasmonic) properties of free-standing Ag nanowire arrays characterized by absorption spectroscopy were explained by modelling via the finite element method. The plasmonic activity of such nanowire arrays was then demonstrated by the well-known surface-enhanced Raman scattering effect through Raman mapping versus optical microscopy. Simulations confirmed the dependence of plasmonic properties to sample geometry and suggested their tunability through parameters such as the wire diameter and packing density. Such plasmonic nanowire arrays can find use in novel applications, e.g. the third generation solar cells, nano-sensors, etc since they can be addressed both optically and electrically through the conducting, transparent substrate. (paper)