Study of Nanoparticle-Polymer Interactions via the Mechanical Stretching of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering...

It is shown that the aligned electrospun fibers are a convenient platform for studying the mechanical effects on nanomaterials, particularly when using surface-enhanced Raman scattering as a sensitive tool of monitoring. The ligands on the surface of the embedded Au nanoparticles fall off easily with the shear force from the stretching, in contrast to the counterparts protected by polymer/silica shells. Upon stretching, the chains of Au nanoparticles will reversibly break, as revealed by the dramatic changes in the longitudinal plasmon absorption. It is believed that such a platform will open a window for understanding mechanical effects at the nanoscale, and also a new means for synthetic control.