Gold nanoparticles embedded in a polymer as a 3D-printable dichroic nanocomposite material

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Nanoparticles have historically contributed to the visual properties of materials like pottery and glass.
• Recent advancements in 3D printing offer new avenues for material fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a 3D-printable nanocomposite incorporating dichroic gold nanoparticles.
• To assess the impact of gold nanoparticles on polymer properties and printability.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a polymer nanocomposite with a small concentration of gold nanoparticles.
• Characterization of the nanocomposite's optical and mechanical properties.
• 3D printing of the developed nanocomposite using standard equipment.

Main Results:

• A 3D-printable nanocomposite exhibiting dichroic effects was successfully fabricated.
• The inclusion of gold nanoparticles did not negatively affect the polymer's mechanical properties or 3D printability.
• The printed material displayed distinct purple (transmission) and brownish (reflection) colors.

Conclusions:

• The developed methodology enables the 3D fabrication of optical materials with tunable properties.
• This technique has potential applications in art, optical filter development, and nanoparticle optical studies.