M20 - Low-cost scale-up of silver-coated gold nanostars synthesis for SERS applications -an undergraduate student experience-

Monday, October 6, 2025

9:45 AM - 5:30 PM EDT

Location: Ballroom C

Presenting Author(s)

AK

Alexander Krol

Undergraduate Student
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Non-Presenting Author(s)

BB

Barsha Bajgain

University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
CS

Connor Shook

Undergraduate Student
University of Cincinnati
Pickerington, Ohio, United States
EB

Evan A. Briezendine

Student
University Of Cincinnati
Westerville, Ohio, United States
EK

Eric Kerschner

University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Project Lead(s)

PS

Pietro Strobbia, PhD

Assistant Professor
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Submitter(s)

AK

Alexander Krol

Undergraduate Student
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

In fifteen words or less, explain the significance of this contribution (Novel Aspect).: An automated, low-cost system enables scalable, high-quality production of silver-coated gold nanostars.

Abstract Text:

High-quality, silver-coated gold nanostars are essential for sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technologies, but practical applications require production in large quantities. This presents a critical manufacturing challenge, as the optimal nanoparticle quality and controlled optical properties are typically achieved only in small-scale synthesis, with a significant loss of quality at larger volumes. Conventionally, this synthesis is a manual batch process involving the rapid injection of a gold seed solution into a growth solution, followed by the addition of silver nitrate under reducing conditions to form the shell. The success of this method relies on rapid, homogenous mixing and precise timing, which are difficult to control manually and become inconsistent as volumes increase, leading to poor reproducibility. To overcome these limitations, we developed and utilized a low-cost, automated fluidic system that uses syringe pumps to precisely control the mixing and reaction of reagents in a continuous flow. Our findings demonstrate that this automated system successfully decouples production volume from nanoparticle quality. We achieved a significant, scalable increase in the output of silver-coated gold nanostars while maintaining the high-quality structural and optical characteristics previously only attainable in small batches. This scalable synthesis strategy, ensuring consistent and reproducible nanoparticle formation, is a crucial step toward the viable, large-scale production of reliable SERS substrates for real-world diagnostic applications.