| Abstract Scope |
This study investigated TiO₂ nanospheres decorated with two types of Au nanostructures, nanospheres and nanostars, each with diameters of 20 and 50 nm to explore the impact of size and morphology along the UV-Vis spectrum. The results show that hybrid nanomaterials with identical dimensions, but different morphologies exhibit distinct functionalities, with variations in size significantly affecting their properties and performance. The physicochemical properties of gold (Au) nanostructures strongly depend on their size and morphology. Nanostars offered advantages over nanospheres, including serving as hot spots for enhanced surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensitivity. Additionally, stars have different crystallographic facets, making them useful for catalytic applications. The tunability of stars and spheres allows for the adjustment of photothermal properties due to localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), making them suitable for specific applications such as photothermal therapy and advanced energy-related technologies. |