Effect of chain topology on plasmonic properties of pressure sensor films based on poly(acrylamide) and Au nanoparticles

Abstract

Au nanoparticles have been recognized as a colorimetric sensing element in polymeric systems because clustering shifts the red color of individual particles into saturated blue due to distinct plasmonic variation. The mechanism of pressure sensing is based on the disintegration of the particle clusters into the individual particles in polymers upon application of pressure. Polymers are usually composed of linear chains that provide a viscoelastic medium for their diffusion. Changing topology of polymer chains from linear to crosslinked under fixed pressure makes a clear change in spectral features of the particles probably due to the hindrance of particle diffusion by the crosslinking points. Therefore, the working range of the sensor films can be increased to higher-pressure values. In this work, polyacrylamide/Au nanoparticle films were prepared by various concentrations of formaldehyde as a crosslinking agent from 0.5 to 5.0 wt %. The initial absorption signal gradually shifts from 690 to 545 nm for linear chains upon application of pressure while shifting goes down to 571 nm for crosslinked ones. The colorimetric change is also examined under humid environments. Contrary to the crosslinking process, humid environment facilitates the diffusion of particles since the chains swell with water molecules that provide a convenient medium for particle diffusion.