Enhancing Non-linear Response of Fullerene via Incorporation of Gold Nanoparticles

Bi-functional nanocomposite thin films of fullerene C-60 and C-70 containing Au NPs were synthesized using thermal co-evaporation method. Different atomic concentrations of Au metal varying from 5 to 35 at.% was chosen to get the Au NPs with different sizes in fullerene matrix. The thickness of films and metal concentration is confirmed by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). UV-visible spectrum shows the excitation of SPR band in all samples except for the lowest metal concentration which is similar to 5 at.% and SPR is red shifted with increasing concentration of Au. The shift in SPR position with increasing metal concentration for both Au-C-60 and Au-C-70 is nearly linear. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy indicates the formation of bigger size particles with increasing metal concentration in both the cases of Au-C-60 and Au-C-70, which is further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy results. Au-C-60 and Au-C-70 (could) be interesting nanocomposites for surface-enhanced Raman scattering studies.