Topotaxial fabrication of vertical Au_xAg_1-x nanowire arrays: Plasmon-active in the blue region and corrosion resistant

Topotaxial growth of Au_xAg_1-x alloy nanowires (NWs) by postepitaxial deposition of Ag vapor on Au NWs and investigation of their plasmonic properties are reported. Ag vapor is supplied onto the epitaxially grown Au NWs, topotaxially turning them into Au_xAg_1-x alloy NWs. The original geometries and alignments of the Au nanostructures are well preserved, while the composition of the alloy NWs is controlled by varying the Ag vapor supply time. The Au_0.5Ag_0.5 NWs show high surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity comparable to that of Ag NWs as well as highly increased oxidation resistance. The plasmon-active wavelength range of the Au_0.5Ag_0.5 NW is significantly extended to the blue region compared to Au NWs. The Au_xAg_1-x alloy NWs that have plasmonic activity in the blue region in addition to high corrosion resistance will make a superb material for practical plasmonic devices including SERS sensors and optical nanoantennas.