All-Dielectric Nanostructures with a Thermoresponsible Dynamic Polymer Shell

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• Photonics

Background:

• Stimuli-responsive nanomaterials are crucial for advanced applications.
• Bio-integrated optical nanostructures require precise control over optical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel strategy for creating stimuli-responsive bio-integrated optical nanostructures.
• To investigate the dynamic tuning of optical responses in these nanostructures.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing Mie-resonant silicon nanoparticles coated with negatively charged polyelectrolytes (heparin and sodium polystyrene sulfonate).
• Employing light-induced heating to control nanoparticle temperature and induce polyelectrolyte shell swelling.
• Analyzing reversible spectral shifts in scattering spectra using individual nanoparticle measurements.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated dynamic tuning of nanostructure optical response via light-induced heating.
• Observed significant changes in polyelectrolyte shell thickness due to hydrophilic/hydrophobic transitions.
• Achieved reversible shifts in scattering spectra up to 60 nm for individual nanoparticles.

Conclusions:

• The proposed strategy enables the creation of smart nanomaterials with tunable optical properties.
• These findings open new avenues for smart nanomaterials in nanomedicine and bio-integrated nanophotonics.