Effects of Anions on Electrochemical Reactions of Silver Shells on Gold Nanorods

Redox reactions of the silver shells of Au-Ag core-shell nanorods were performed in five electrolytes (KBr, KCl, K2HPO4/KH2PO4, KNO3, and KClO4). The spectral changes indicated oxidation and reduction of the silver shells. Silver shells were dissolved in the positive sweeps of the cyclic voltammogram measurements. In the presence of phosphate, deposition of metallic silver on the electrode was suppressed, and silver shell deposition on gold nanorods was observable. In the other electrolytes, the silver ions were deposited as metal silver nanoparticles on the ITO plate.