title: Investigation on the Effects of the Formation of a Silver "Flower-Like Structure" on Graphene.
abstract: In this report, we experimentally investigate the formation of "flower-like silver structures" on graphene. Using an electrochemical deposition technique with deposition times of 2.5 and 5 min, agglomerations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were deposited on the graphene surfaces, causing the formation of "flower-like structures" on the graphene substrate. Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) was observed in the interaction between the structures and the graphene substrate. The morphology of the samples was observed using a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Thereafter, the potential of the flower-like Ag microstructures on graphene for use in Raman spectroscopic applications was examined. The signal showed a highest intensity value after a deposition time of 5 min, as portrayed by the intense local electromagnetic fields. For a better understanding, the CST Microwave Studio software, based on the finite element method (FEM), was applied to simulate the absorption characteristics of the structures on the graphene substrate. The absorption peak was redshifted due to the increment of the nanoparticle size.
authors.affiliation: Photonics Research Centre, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. rozalina@um.edu.my.
authors.forename: Rozalina
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6445-3039
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zakaria
authors.affiliation: Photonics Research Centre, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Siti Fatimah Az Zahra
authors.initials: SFAZ
authors.lastname: Yusoff
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, Semenyih, 43500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Kok Chung
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Law
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, Semenyih, 43500, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Chin Seong
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Photonics Research Centre, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Harith
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahmad
keywords: CST microwave studio; Electrochemical deposition technique; Silver nanoparticles; Surface plasmon resonance