Synthesis of gold nanorod/neodymium oxide yolk/shell composite with plasmon-enhanced near-infrared luminescence.

A yolk/shell composite consisting of an AuNR core and an Nd 2 O 3 shell with a 19 nm gap is synthesized by a multi-step over-growth method. The near-infrared luminescence of AuNR@Nd 2 O 3 is up to 4.6 times higher than that of Nd 2 O 3 hollow nanoparticles. The underlying mechanism of plasmon-induced luminescence enhancement is further investigated.