Nanoshells are nanoparticles with a unique property — they can be optically tuned to either absorb or scatter particular wavelengths of light. Nanoshells are created from a dielectric core (like silica) and an outer shell of gold or another metal. By varying the diameter of the core and the thickness of the metal shell, Nanoshells can be crafted to reflect or absorb different wavelengths.
Nanoshells are nanoparticles made up of a dielectric core and a metallic shell. They are typically constructed using a process called "seed-mediated growth", where a seed particle is coated with a layer of the desired metal through a series of chemical reactions.
The most commonly used materials for constructing nanoshells are gold and silver. These metals have strong absorption in the visible and near-infrared regions, making them useful for various applications.
Nanoshells have potential applications in various fields such as biomedical imaging and therapy, drug delivery, and sensing. They can also be used in energy harvesting and catalysis.
One of the main challenges in constructing nanoshells is achieving control over their size, shape, and composition. The process of seed-mediated growth can also be complex and requires precise control over reaction conditions.
The properties of nanoshells can be characterized using various techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. These techniques can provide information about the size, shape, and optical properties of nanoshells.