However, SERS detection in our check details characterization employed far-field Raman microscope which characterizes an electromagnetic field-average effect [36, 37], and the lighting effect in the flower-like nanostructures with huge amount of sharp tips may overwhelm the crystal facet effect. Consequently, the influence of phase difference cannot be directly reflected in Raman spectra. Conclusions In this paper, the size and ratio of HCP to FCC

phase in synthesized flower-like Ag nanostructures are well controlled by tuning the amount of catalyzing agent ammonia added to the solution. There indeed exists an optimal point where HCP is the richest. Ionic surfactants may have an adverse effect on the selleck kinase inhibitor formation of HCP phase through its influence on the oxidation product of aldehyde group. The flower-like Ag NPs can be employed as SERS substrate, and the SERS enhancement factor is related to amounts of hot spots and has no direct relation with phase composition. Acknowledgements This

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