Single particle model of SnO₂ deposition on silver nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles coated with almost uniform, thin shell of tin oxide are synthesized via a simple colloid chemistry technique, where the reduction of Ag⁴⁺ to Ag⁰ followed by the encapsulation of oxide takes place. The as prepared dispersions of tin oxide coated silver nanocomposite particles display a surface plasmon band, which is significantly red shifted with respect to that of bare Ag. Morphology of the composite nanoparticles was investigated by TEM. Presence of SnO₂ shell on the silver nanoparticles was also supported by XPS results. A theoretical single particle model has been proposed for the formation of tin oxide shell on the silver nanoparticles.