Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)−Gold Nanoassemblies on Macroscopic Surfaces: Fabrication, Characterization, and Application

Abstract

In this study, we report on the fabrication of the nanoassemblies consisting of the poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) brushes immobilized with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). The employed process involves grafting of the carboxyl terminated PNIPAAm chains on an underlying substrate in a brush conformation followed by the immobilization of surface functionalized Au NPs by means of physical interaction (hydrogen bonding). Atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV−vis spectroscopy have been employed to characterize the prepared PNIPAAm−Au nanoassemblies. Polymer brushes have been found to suppress the nanoparticles’ aggregation and, hence, facilitate the complete surface coverage. Furthermore, we demonstrated the application of resulting PNIPAAm−Au nanoassemblies in the fabrication of the temperature nanosensors. The employed approach is simple and highly versatile for the modification of macroscopic surfaces with a wide range of NPs.