Electroless methods for molecular doping of gold thin films

Abstract

We developed electroless-based methods for entrapping molecules within gold thin films, molecule@Au. These doping procedures extend the potential library electroless formed films much beyond its classical application of pure metals. A detailed study shows that adsorption on gold films and entrapment within it provide distinctly different modified thin films. Significantly, molecules that cannot be adsorbed, do form an organic–metallic hybrid by the developed entrapment processes. We also report on the ability to observe enhanced Raman and fluorescence spectra from the dopant molecules within the gold thin films.