SPR sensing properties of sol-gel derived films dispersed with nano-sized silver particles generated by evaporation-condensation method

Abstract

Thin silica films dispersed with silver nano-sized particles were prepared by evaporation-condensation method on sol-gel derived films to enhance the sensing ability. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption peak wavelength was measured by immersing films in liquids which had different refractive indecies n. It was shifted toward a longer wavelength with increasing n of liquids. Sensitivity for refractive index dλ/dn was large compared to that prepared by sol-gel method, and its value was 76.5.