skip to main content


Title: Effect of electrochromic polymer switching on surface plasmon polaritons
Electrochromic polymers incorporated into plasmonic systems provide a possibility to control plasmonic properties with the applied voltage. Using gold-polyaniline (PANI) bilayers, we study the effect of coloration switching on surface plasmon polaritons propagating at the PANI-gold interface. The width of the resonance, magnitude of the plasmon wave-vector and dielectric permittivity of PANI are estimated as the function of the applied voltage.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2112595
NSF-PAR ID:
10422749
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Editor(s):
Engheta, Nader; Noginov, Mikhail A.; Zheludev, Nikolay I.
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Metamaterials, Metadevices, and Metasystems 2022
Volume:
12195
Page Range / eLocation ID:
90
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. Vo-Dinh, Tuan ; Ho, Ho-Pui A. ; Ray, Krishanu (Ed.)
    Alternating current (AC) modulation of command voltage applied across a Self-induced Back Action Actuated Nanopore Electrophoresis (SANE) sensor, a type of plasmonic nanopore sensor that we have developed previously, enables acquisition of new data types that could potentially enhance the characterization of nanoparticles (NPs) and single molecules. In particular, AC voltage frequency response provides insight into the charge and dielectric constant of analytes that are normally obfuscated using DC command voltages. We first analyzed Axopatch 200B data to map the frequency response of the empty SANE sensor in terms of phase shift and amplitude modulation, with and without plasmonic excitation. We then tested the frequency response of 20 nm diameter silica NPs and 20 nm gold NPs trapped optically, which made these particles hover over an underlying 25 nm nanopore at the center of the SANE sensor. By applying a DC command voltage with a superimposed AC frequency sweep while keeping the NPs optically trapped in the vicinity of the nanopores’s entrance, we have found that silica and gold NPs to have distinctly different electrical responses. This pilot work demonstrates the feasibility of performing AC measurements with a plasmonic nanopore, which encourages us to pursue more detailed characterization studies with NPs and single molecules in future work. 
    more » « less
  2. Abstract

    Plasmonic metal nanostructures are essential for plasmon‐mediated chemical reactions (PMCRs) and surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The nanostructures are commonly made from the coinage metals gold and silver. Copper (Cu) is less used mainly due to the difficulties in fabricating stable nanostructures. However, Cu is an attractive option with its strong plasmonic properties, high catalytic activities, and relatively cheap price. Herein, we fabricated tunable, reliable, and efficient Cu nanoelectrodes (CuNEs). Using time‐resolved electrochemical SERS, we have comprehensively studied the reversible chemical transformations between aromatic amine and nitro groups modified on the CuNE surface. Their PMCRs are well‐controlled by changing the surface roughness, the oxidation states of Cu, and the applied electrode potential. We thus demonstrate that the Cu nanostructures enable better investigations in the interplays between PMCR, electrochemistry, and Cu catalysis.

     
    more » « less
  3. Abstract

    Plasmonic metal nanostructures are essential for plasmon‐mediated chemical reactions (PMCRs) and surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The nanostructures are commonly made from the coinage metals gold and silver. Copper (Cu) is less used mainly due to the difficulties in fabricating stable nanostructures. However, Cu is an attractive option with its strong plasmonic properties, high catalytic activities, and relatively cheap price. Herein, we fabricated tunable, reliable, and efficient Cu nanoelectrodes (CuNEs). Using time‐resolved electrochemical SERS, we have comprehensively studied the reversible chemical transformations between aromatic amine and nitro groups modified on the CuNE surface. Their PMCRs are well‐controlled by changing the surface roughness, the oxidation states of Cu, and the applied electrode potential. We thus demonstrate that the Cu nanostructures enable better investigations in the interplays between PMCR, electrochemistry, and Cu catalysis.

     
    more » « less
  4. Plasmonic nanostructures have been demonstrated as emergent photocatalysts because of their efficient photon absorption and their ability to produce hot carriers. However, the plasmon-generated hot carriers decay through ultrafast relaxation pathways, resulting in a short lifetime that impedes the exploitation of hot carriers for chemical reactions. Charge separation at the heterojunction of the hybrid nanostructures can counteract the ultrafast decay to extend the carrier lifetime. Here, we fabricate hybrid nanostructures composed of gold nanorods and a carbon thin film and demonstrate efficient charge transfer between these two materials. Using single-particle dark-field scattering spectroscopy, we observe a broadening of the longitudinal plasmon for gold nanorods on a carbon film compared to those on a glass substrate. We attribute this plasmon damping to the electron transfer from gold nanorods to the carbon film and exclude the contribution from plasmon-induced resonance energy transfer. The electron transfer efficiencies are calculated as 52.8 ± 4.8 and 57.4 ± 4.0% for carbon films with thicknesses of 10 and 25 nm, respectively. This work demonstrates efficient charge separation at the gold–carbon film interface, which can extend the lifetime of hot carriers to promote plasmonic photocatalysts. 
    more » « less
  5. Abstract

    Plasmonic nanoparticles that can be manipulated with magnetic fields are of interest for advanced optical applications, diagnostics, imaging, and therapy. Alignment of gold nanorods yields strong polarization‐dependent extinction, and use of magnetic fields is appealing because they act through space and can be quickly switched. In this work, cationic polyethyleneimine‐functionalized superparamagnetic Fe3O4nanoparticles (NPs) are deposited on the surface of anionic gold nanorods coated with bovine serum albumin. The magnetic gold nanorods (MagGNRs) obtained through mixing maintain the distinct optical properties of plasmonic gold nanorods that are minimally perturbed by the magnetic overcoating. Magnetic alignment of the MagGNRs arising from magnetic dipolar interactions on the anisotropic gold nanorod core is comprehensively characterized, including structural characterization and enhancement (suppression) of the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance and suppression (enhancement) of the transverse surface plasmon resonance for light polarized parallel (orthogonal) to the magnetic field. The MagGNRs can also be driven in rotating magnetic fields to rotate at frequencies of at least 17 Hz. For suitably large gold nanorods (148 nm long) and Fe3O4NPs (13.4 nm diameter), significant alignment is possible even in modest (<500 Oe) magnetic fields. An analytical model provides a unified understanding of the magnetic alignment of MagGNRs.

     
    more » « less