Branched Plasmonic Nanoparticles with High Symmetry

Branched plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) composed of noble metals are an interesting subclass of plasmonic NPs due to their unique properties that arise from the strong electric field enhancements that occur at their tips. The plasmonic properties of branched metal NPs can be manipulated through altering their symmetry and structural features such as branch sharpness, composition, and their surroundings. In this Featured Article, the unique optical properties that arise from branched plasmonic NPs are introduced, which were revealed through pioneering studies of Au nanostars and related structures. Next, branched NPs with high symmetry are discussed as a model system to explore more fully how parameters such as NP size, shape, and composition impact their properties, enabling applications in chemical sensing and beyond. These studies provide design criteria and synthetic strategies toward new nanostructures with increasing structural and compositional complexity.