EXC 3120 BlueMat - Research Topic C3: Scattering of NIR and Visible Light by Reversible Plasmonic Cluster Formation

This research topic aims to develop self-regulating and switchable materials based on thermo-reversible assemblies of plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) within purpose-designed and 3D-nanoprinted porous structures filled with water. Single spherical plasmonic gold particles have their resonance in the visible range, while plasmonic dimers and larger clusters exhibit broad absorption into the NIR. Thus, reversible (dis)assembly can be used to switch NIR transmission. The NPs will be functionalized with programmable oligonucleotide ligands and placed in 3D-nanoprinted capillaries filled with water, where a fraction of the particles will be bound to the pore walls by thermal treatment or surface chemistry. This design will create energy-selective and adaptive materials that can be used as responsive and switchable optical filters in the visible and NIR range with tailored response times, bringing plasmonic switchability into rigid scaffolds. The key scientific questions are: How do the size, shape, and distribution of nanopores influence the reversible assembly of plasmonic particles? How can we design an engineered environment in which the diffusion and assembly of NPs is controlled? How can we improve the switching time and reproducibility of assembly?

Options