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Two-Dimensional Plasmonic Nanoparticle as a Nanoscale Sensor to Probe Polymer Brush Formation
Assad U Khan1, Clayton Scruggs1, David Hicks1
1Department of Chemistry, ‡Materials Science and Engineering, and §Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech , 800 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.
Analytical Chemistry
|June 21, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a simple method using 2D plasmonic nanoparticles to monitor polymer brush formation in situ. This technique reveals the three-regime kinetics, improving surface chemistry design.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Conventional polymer brush characterization methods are laborious and indirect.
- Understanding polymer brush formation kinetics is crucial for advanced material design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple, in situ method for analyzing polymer brush formation.
- To elucidate the mechanism and kinetics of polymer brush formation using a novel sensing approach.
Main Methods:
- Utilized intrinsically flat two-dimensional (2D) plasmonic nanoparticles as sensors.
- Employed ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy to monitor changes in localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelength.
- Functionalized nanoparticles with thiolated polyethylene glycol (PEG-SH) and PEG disulfide.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a linear correlation between LSPR wavelength shift and polymer density near the surface.
- Confirmed three-regime kinetics of polymer brush formation, including a latent regime.
- Identified fast adsorption and slow chain rearrangement as causes for the latent regime.
Conclusions:
- The 2D plasmonic nanoparticle sensor provides an effective in situ method for studying polymer brush formation.
- The findings offer fundamental insights into polymer grafting mechanisms, enabling tailored surface properties.
- The sensing platform is adaptable for investigating the grafting of other molecules like proteins and DNA.
