# Synthesis of the dumbbell AuNRs@BCP nanoparticles via UV light-initiated RAFT polymerization-induced self-assembly

## TL;DR

A new method was developed to create dumbbell-shaped nanoparticles that can produce strong and consistent SERS signals for detecting methyl orange.

## Contribution

The novel synthesis of dumbbell AuNRs@BCP nanoparticles using UV-initiated RAFT PISA for tunable hybrid nanoparticle morphologies.

## Key findings

- Dumbbell AuNRs@BCP nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using UV light-initiated RAFT PISA.
- The nanoparticles showed strong and reproducible SERS signals due to plasmonic hotspots between AuNRs and BCP domains.
- Shape-dependent SERS experiments and electric field simulations confirmed the effectiveness of the nanoparticle design.

## Abstract

Herein, we report a novel method to synthesize the dumbbell AuNRs@BCP nanoparticles via UV light-initiated RAFT polymerization-induced self-assembly in situ. This strategy provides a promising alternative for synthesizing asymmetric inorganic/polymeric hybrid nanoparticles with tunable morphologies. Shape-dependent surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) experiments in dilute dispersions, along with electric field simulations, were conducted. Due to the plasmonic hotspots formed between the AuNRs and BCP domains, the dumbbell AuNRs@BCP nanoparticles were ideal for generating strong and reproducible SERS signals for methyl orange.

Novel dumbbell AuNRs@BCP nanoparticles were explored via the UV light-initiated RAFT PISA method.