Hairy Plasmonic Nanoparticles

Abstract

The expedient combination of plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) with hairy ligands gives rise to hybrid nanomaterials with unique, tailor-made functionalities. By adjusting the NP's composition, dimension, and shape, optical properties of the NPs can be engineered, while their decoration with hairy ligands provides a handle to control the interface regime between plasmonic NPs and their environment. Depending on their macromolecular design, the polymeric surface coating may provide isolating or conductive properties, may be used as a defined linker and spacer to other functional entities, and may contribute soft and adaptive features. This allows to control and dynamically manipulate the nanomaterial plasmonic properties, as well as secondary effects associated with the plasmon excitation, such as energy transfer and field enhancement. Eventually, this opens up the fabrication of functional hairy plasmonic nanomaterials with, e.g. sensor, luminescent, and catalytic capability.