New insights on the Au(core)/Pt(shell) nanoparticle structure in the sub-monolayer range: SERS as a surface analyzing tool.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used as a powerful surface analyzing tool to investigate the core-shell structural evolution of Au@Pt nanoparticles, revealing the templating role of the underlying Au atoms on the nanoscale Pt-phase structure in the sub-monolayer range.