Hybrids of Au nanodishes and Au nanoparticles

We demonstrate a simple route to hybridize two different nanomaterials by using three-dimensional nanodishes that can be used as small plasmonic containers to host guest nanoparticles. Our nanodishes were fabricated using nanoimprint lithography and oblique-angle film deposition, and the guest nanoparticles were drop-casted onto the host nanodishes. Based on the proposed method, colloidal Au nanoparticles were assembled inside Au nanodishes in the form of a labyrinth. These Au nanoparticle-nanodish hybrids excited a strong surface plasmon resonance, as verified by a numerical simulation of the local field enhancement and by direct observation of the enhanced Raman signals. Our results point to the potential of the nanodishes as a useful platform for combining diverse nanomaterials and their functionalities.