This paper presents a convenient and reliable method to prepare gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on graphene. Photo-assisted synthesis (PAS) was employed to grow AuNPs in AuCl4 - electrolyte on graphene. The size of AuNPs could be as large as 130 nm. This optical method had a steady growth rate of AuNPs. The distribution of AuNPs was well controlled by focusing the laser for PAS. The minimum diameter of the distribution was approximately 1 μm. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of graphene due to AuNPs was observed. Electrical fields near AuNPs calculated by the finite-difference time-domain algorithm ensured that the Raman enhancement was attributed to the localized surface plasmons of AuNPs. ? 2013 Optical Society of America.
