<i>In situ</i> synthesis of gold nanoparticles in polymer films under concentrated sunlight: control of nanoparticle size and shape with solar flux

Nadal, Elie; Barros, Noémi; Peres, Laurent; Goetz, V.; Respaud, Marc; Soulantica, Katerina; Kachachi, H.

doi:10.1039/c9re00439d

Cited by 16 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…For this reason, stabilizing agents are required to obtain homogeneously dispersed NPs [ 18 ]. However, achieving a homogeneous spatial distribution at large scales inside the polymer matrix is still challenging [ 19 ]. Such disadvantages may directly affect the optical properties of the system [ 20 ], notably by inducing a large broadening of the plasmon resonance peak.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direct Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles in Polymer Matrix

et al. 2022

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We report an original method for directly fabricating gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in a polymer matrix using a thermal treatment technique and theoretically and experimentally investigate their plasmonic properties. The polymeric-metallic nanocomposite samples were first prepared by simply mixing SU-8 resist and Au salt with different concentrations. The Au NPs growth was triggered inside the polymer through a thermal process on a hot plate and in air environment. The Au NPs creation was confirmed by the color of the nanocomposite thin films and by absorption spectra measurements. The Au NPs sizes and distributions were confirmed by transmission electron microscope measurements. It was found that the concentrations of Au salt and the annealing temperatures and durations are all crucial for tuning the Au NPs sizes and distributions, and, thus, their optical properties. We also propose a simulation model for calculations of Au NPs plasmonic properties inside a polymer medium. We realized that Au NPs having large sizes (50 to 100 nm) play an important role in absorption spectra measurements, as compared to the contribution of small NPs (<20 nm), even if the relative amount of big Au NPs is small. This simple, low-cost, and highly reproducible technique allows us to obtain plasmonic NPs within polymer thin films on a large scale, which can be potentially applied to many fields.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direct Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles in Polymer Matrix

et al. 2022

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“…Lastly, the third approach is based on the in situ synthesis of the NPs directly inside the thin film matrix [26] [27,28] [29]. In this case, metal salts are mixed with a soluble polymer in the -4 -liquid phase before thin film deposition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new approach for synthesizing plasmonic polymer nanocomposite thin films by combining a gold salt aerosol and an atmospheric pressure low-temperature plasma

et al. 2021

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The proof of the concept of a new, one step and safe by design process to synthetize metalpolymer nanocomposites thin films on a large surface is presented. It is based on the injection of an aerosol of a solution of metal (gold) salts dissolved in a polymerisable solvent (isopropanol) into an argon atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). The main novelty of this method resides in the fact that the nanoparticles are formed in situ, inside the plasma reactor, in the gas phase. Consequently, the nanoparticle synthesis and deposition is concomitant with the solvent polymerization used to produce the matrix, which makes it -2 -possible to obtain homogeneous layers of non-agglomerated nanoparticles (NPs) with high NPs density. By toggling between low and high frequency discharges, gold/polymer nanocomposites with different morphologies and optical properties are synthesized. The effect of the concentration of gold in the aerosol and the gas residence time in the plasma as well as the ratio of high and low frequency discharge and their repetition rate are presented. The thin films are systematically characterized by AFM and UV-Visible spectroscopy to analyze their morphologies along with their plasmonic resonances.

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“…Nadal et al used concentrated solar irradiation to generate a dispersion of gold NPs into PMMA or potato starch films. 30 In this case, NPs were generated in situ when the gold salt-doped film was exposed to concentrated sunlight. Furthermore, by varying the solar flux, the authors were able to control the NP size distribution and, therefore, the final plasmonic response of the nanocomposite.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An alternative methodology for preparing metal/polymer nanocomposites is through in situ synthesis, where metal NPs are generated directly within the polymer matrix. This can be through chemical reduction, − thermal decomposition, , or photochemical reduction − of a metal precursor that has been previously dissolved in the polymer. Different metal/polymer nanocomposites have recently been obtained through this approach.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of Light Intensity on the Aggregation Behavior of Primary Particles during In Situ Photochemical Synthesis of Gold/Polymer Nanocomposites

et al. 2020

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Metal/polymer nanocomposites have attracted much attention in recent years due to their exceptional properties and wide range of potential applications. A key challenge to obtain these materials is to stabilize the metal nanoparticles in the matrix, avoiding uncontrolled aggregation processes driven by the high surface free energy of nanosized particles. Here, we investigate the aggregation mechanism of primary particles in gold−epoxy nanocomposites prepared via light-assisted in situ synthesis, under different irradiation conditions. The growth and aggregation of gold nanoparticles were monitored in situ by time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering experiments, whereas spectroscopic measurements were performed to interpret how matrix polymerization influences the aggregation process. It was found that light intensity has a greater influence on the reduction rate than on the polymerization rate. Under irradiation, gold nanostructures evolve through five time-defined stages: nucleimass fractalssurface fractalsspherical nanoparticlesaggregates. If the maximum in the polymerization rate is reached before the aggregation step, individual primary nanoparticles will be preserved in the polymer matrix due to diffusional constraints imposed by the reaction medium. Because the light intensity has a different influence on the reduction rate than on the polymerization rate, this parameter can be used as a versatile tool to avoid aggregation of gold nanoparticles into the polymer matrix.

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In situ synthesis of gold nanoparticles in polymer films under concentrated sunlight: control of nanoparticle size and shape with solar flux

Abstract: We proposed a one step, green and efficient approach to synthesize plasmonic nanocomposites over large surfaces and with controlled morphologies.

Cited by 16 publications

References 62 publications

Direct Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles in Polymer Matrix

Direct Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles in Polymer Matrix

A new approach for synthesizing plasmonic polymer nanocomposite thin films by combining a gold salt aerosol and an atmospheric pressure low-temperature plasma

Effect of Light Intensity on the Aggregation Behavior of Primary Particles during In Situ Photochemical Synthesis of Gold/Polymer Nanocomposites

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