---
title: Analysing tunable plasmonic HfN nanoparticles with CL
description: A new study investigates possibilities for fabrication of tunable plasmonic HfN nanoparticles and analysis of their properties with cathodoluminescence
image: https://blog.delmic.com/hubfs/Cathodoluminescence%20imaging%20of%20HfN%20nanostructures.png
---

###### [cathodoluminescence](https://blog.delmic.com/news/topic/cathodoluminescence), [paper review](https://blog.delmic.com/news/topic/paper-review) • 1

# Analysing tunable plasmonic HfN nanoparticles with CL

[Delmic October 28, 2019](https://blog.delmic.com/news/author/delmic)

![Cathodoluminescence imaging of HfN nanostructures](https://blog.delmic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cathodoluminescence%20imaging%20of%20HfN%20nanostructures.png?width=1080&name=Cathodoluminescence%20imaging%20of%20HfN%20nanostructures.png)

A new paper was published in Nanoscale by researchers from AMOLF and DIFFER.

The research focuses on tunable plasmonic HfN nanoparticles and arrays and demonstrates the possibilities for development and fabrication of such nanostructures. 

In the recent years unconventional plasmonic materials such as the group-4 metal nitrides (including HfN) have been attracting strong interest for their compelling qualities. Similarly to silver and gold, they feature visible light absorption cross sections, but also demonstrate additional benefits of high melting point, chemical stability and mechanical hardness. As such metal nitride nanoparticles are likely to demonstrate more stable and reliable optical properties.

Even though this material is very promising, there are only a few reports on the fabrication of such nanoparticles. The authors explore and develop lithographic preparations for creating such structures, and also analyse the achieved properties of localised surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) with [cathodoluminescence](https://www.delmic.com/cathodoluminescence)[(CL)](https://www.delmic.com/cathodoluminescence)[ spectroscopy](https://www.delmic.com/cathodoluminescence). Cathodoluminescence imaging was performed with the [SPARC](https://www.delmic.com/sparc-cathodoluminescence-sem) system, and the acquired CL maps in the visible range demonstrated clear surface plasmon resonances. 

The experiment demonstrates that HfN nanoparticles can be a feasible and possibly a better alternative to classical noble metal nanostructures, particularly in plasmonically-powered applications where materials robustness is important. [To read the full paper please go here. ](https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2019/NR/C9NR07683B#!divAbstract)

#### Delmic

[![](https://blog.delmic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2022_Delmic_M%26M%20Meeting%20Promo_Website.png?width=380&name=2022_Delmic_M%26M%20Meeting%20Promo_Website.png) ](https://blog.delmic.com/news/join-delmic-at-microscopy-microanalysis-mm-meeting-2022) [###### cathodoluminescence

## Join Delmic at Microscopy & MicroAnalysis (M&M) Meeting 2022

It’s official, Delmic is going to M&M 2022 in Portland, Oregon! You’ll find us at the biggest microscopy event of the year. We’ll be presenting our METEOR, ...

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[![](https://blog.delmic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/News/2022_CL_OTP%20Funding_Website.png?width=380&name=2022_CL_OTP%20Funding_Website.png) ](https://blog.delmic.com/news/open-technology-programme-funding) [###### cathodoluminescence

## Open Technology Programme (OTP) funding

We are delighted to announce that Delmic - CL Solutions is a part of the Open Technology Programme, granted by NWO. The project will look into a new ...

](https://blog.delmic.com/news/open-technology-programme-funding)

[![](https://blog.delmic.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/News/2022_CL_NWO%20Funding_Website.png?width=380&name=2022_CL_NWO%20Funding_Website.png) ](https://blog.delmic.com/news/nwo-funding-for-perovskite-solar-foil-consortium) [###### cathodoluminescence

## NWO funding for perovskite solar foil consortium

We are excited to announce that Delmic - CL Solutions will be part of the PerFoRM (Perovskite Foils by Roll-to-roll Manufacturing) consortium, funded by NWO's ...

](https://blog.delmic.com/news/nwo-funding-for-perovskite-solar-foil-consortium)