Engineering “Hot” Nanoparticles for Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering by Embedding Reporter Molecules in Metal Layers

Ag is deposited on the surface of Au nanoparticles functionalized with 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA). Exceptionally strong surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals are observed from the resulting colloid. Using SERS as a tool, evidence is obtained for the embedding of MBA inside the nanoscale metal layer. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as ”Supporting Information”. Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.