Tuning the LSPR in copper chalcogenide nanoparticles by cation intercalation, cation exchange and metal growth.

Localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) of degenerately doped copper chalcogenide nanoparticles (NPs) (Cu2-xSe berzelianite and Cu1.1S covellite) have been modified applying different methods. The comparison of the cation exchange (Cu2-xSe) and intercalation (Cu1.1S) of Ag(I) and Cu(I) has shown that Ag(I) causes a non reversible, air stable shift of the LSPR. This was compared to the influence of Au(I) cation exchange into Cu1.1S platelets under the formation of Cu1.1S-Au2S mixed nanoplatelets. Furthermore, we show the growth of Au domains on Cu2-xSe, and discuss the interaction of the two plasmonic parts of the obtained dual plasmonic Cu2-xSe-Au hybrid particles.