Plasmonic polymer nanocomposites

Abstract

A key challenge for modern chemistry research is to create materials that can respond to their environment. Here we discuss the promising features of a particular class of hybrid materialplasmonic polymer nanocomposites (PPNs). We discuss their application in three key and diverse technologies: optical data storage, sensing and imaging, and photothermal gels for in vivo therapy platforms. PPNs provide a flexible method for using surface plasmon spectroscopy in the solid state.Polymer dispersed plasmonic particles can be used for molecular detection, pH, temperature and humidity determination in the solid state. Data can be stored in these composites by writing patterns into the plasmonic particles using lasers to alter the shape or local refractive index. These nanocomposites combine a responsive material (the hydrogel) with a signal transduction element (the plasmonic particle). Important challenges in the development of these materials are also discussed including nanoporosity, nanoparticle dispersion and mechanical stability.

Recent Advances in Hybrid Optical Materials: Integrating Nanoparticles within a Glass Matrix

“…It is worthwhile noting that the integration of OANPs within a polymer matrix has also attracted significant attention in the past decades, largely owing to their high adaptability for lightweight and flexible devices 137e. Readers interested in OANPs‐in‐polymer hybrid materials are kindly referred to the following reviews . Although embedding OANPs into inorganic glass or polymer matrix is complementary, there are still unambiguous advantages of using OANPs‐in‐glass for specific applications.…”

“…They found this reshaping takes place due to the photothermal effect induced by surface plasmons process. When the laser light excites the nanorods (in resonance with the transverse or longitudinal LSPR band in terms of wavelength and polarization), the induced surface plasmons could decay in two pathways: radiative relaxation via re‐emission of photons (resulting in enhanced elastic scattering) or nonradiative relaxation via conversion to hot electrons (absorbed light energy dissipated in heat form) . Provided that the laser pulse energy is sufficiently high, the localized heat (nonradiative relaxation) could surpass a threshold where the diffusion of surface atoms is facilitated, leading to the reshaping of nanorods .…”

Multifunctional temperature‐responsive polymers as advanced biomaterials and beyond

“…For instance, simple polymer networks often do not contain the required mechanical and biological properties for several tissue engineering applications since it can be challenging to maintain polymer structural integrity throughout repeat hydrophilic/hydrophobic transitions, while also realizing efficient response rates . Additionally, there is a growing demand for smart polymer technologies in the fields of actuators, biosensors and biologic devices, where the polymer response to magnetic, optical, and/or electrical stimuli is the basis of measurement . However, most polymeric materials are comprised of inert and magnetically or electrically unresponsive components .…”

“…73 Additionally, there is a growing demand for smart polymer technologies in the fields of actuators, biosensors and biologic devices, where the polymer response to magnetic, optical, and/or electrical stimuli is the basis of measurement. [73][74][75] However, most polymeric materials are comprised of inert and magnetically or electrically unresponsive components. 75,76 Fortunately, the incorporation of NPs into smart polymer networks has produced innovative materials with a diverse set of functionalities that are capable of overcoming these challenges.…”

Polysiloxanes Modified by Thiol‐Ene Reaction and Their Interaction with Gold Nanoparticles

“…At this scale, these materials have unique optical, electronic and catalytic properties which are used in many applications (low concentration detection of analytes, catalysis, therapy, diagnosis, tissue engineering, high resolution imaging, electronics, etc .). The use of these nanoparticles for a targeted application often requires modifying their surface by adding an organic or inorganic layer . This additional layer has two main advantages.…”