Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI); Nanoshell- Based Infrared and Terahertz Adaptive Materials

摘要

Our major accomplishments in fabrication of this nanostructure involved the development of a reliable, solution based fabrication method that permits the growth of a gold layer of controlled thickness onto silica nanoparticles. This fabrication method was developed and extended to nanoparticles with resonances ranging from the visible region of the spectrum to the mid infrared range of the spectrum (2.9 microns). Silver nanoshell fabrication chemistry was also developed based on the same seeded growth method, but with less controlled growth than the gold electroless plating process due to the much more rapid kinetics of the silver electroless plating process. Encapsulating a gold nanoshell within a second silica layer and outer gold shell, a structure we called 'nano-matryushka', provided a particle with resonances that extended from the near infrared to the far infrared region of the spectrum (nominally 9 microns). The electroless plating method was also adapted to planar geometries using a combination of microcontact printing and electroless plating, to create patterned metallized surfaces that can be produced over large planar areas with submicron resolution by a simple mask- free stamping and developing process.