Raspberry-like metamolecules exhibiting strong magnetic resonances

Influence of Solvophobicity of Biphenol-Derived Small Surface Ligands on the Formation of Size-Controllable Gold Nanoparticle Vesicles

The self-assembly of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) into gold nanoparticle vesicles (GNVs) has been a topic of significant interest in recent years. However, the formation mechanism of GNVs is still not fully understood. In this article, we report that the new oligo(ethylene glycol)-terminated biphenol ligands (OBLs) show different solubility in tetrahydrofuran (THF) depending upon the number of terminal ethylene glycol units, resulting in a differential solvophobicity. The fluorine-free OBLs have the ability to self-assemble with GNPs into GNVs driven by the solvophobic feature of the ligands. The size of GNVs can be precisely controlled by tuning the interparticle attraction through changes in the unit number of terminal ethylene glycol or the water content in THF. Time-dependent studies revealed that the vesicle formation process consists of two stages: the rapid generation of vesicles, followed by their fusion to form thermodynamically stable GNVs with a saturated size. These two rapid processes are primarily influenced by the pronounced solvophobic attraction exerted by the surface ligands.

Freestanding, Freeform Metamolecule Fibers Tailoring Artificial Optical Magnetism

Metamolecule clusters support various unique types of artificial electromagnetism at optical frequencies. However, the technological challenges regarding the freeform fabrication of freestanding metamolecule clusters with programmed geometries and multiple compositions remain unresolved. Here, the freeform, freestanding raspberry-like metamolecule (RMM) fibers based on the directional guidance of a femtoliter meniscus are presented, resulting in the evaporative co-assembly of silica nanoparticles and gold nanoparticles with the aid of 3D nanoprinting. This method offers a facile and universal pathway to shape RMM fibers in 3D, enabling versatile manipulation of near- and far-field characteristics. In particular, the authors demonstrate the ability to decrease the scattering of the millimeter-scale RMM fiber in visible spectrum. In addition, the influence of electric and magnetic dipole modes on the directional scattering of RMM fibers is investigated. These experiments show that the magnetic response of an individual RMM can be controlled by adjusting the filling factor of gold nanoparticles. The authors anticipate that this method will allow for unrestricted design and realization of nanophotonic structures, surpassing the limitations of conventional fabrication processes.

Chemical and Physical Properties of Photonic Noble-Metal Nanomaterials

Colloidal noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) are composed of metal cores and organic or inorganic ligand shells. These NPs support size- and shape-dependent plasmonic resonances. They can be assembled from dispersions into artificial metamolecules which have collective plasmonic resonances originating from coupled bright and dark optical electric and magnetic modes that form depending on the size and shape of the constituent NPs and their number, arrangement, and interparticle distance. NPs can also be assembled into extended 2D and 3D metamaterials that are glassy thin films or ordered thin films or crystals, also known as superlattices and supercrystals. The metamaterials have tunable optical properties that depend on the size, shape, and composition of the NPs, and on the number of NP layers and their interparticle distance. Interestingly, strong light-matter interactions in superlattices form plasmon polaritons. Tunable interparticle distances allow designer materials with dielectric functions tailorable from that characteristic of an insulator to that of a metal, and serve as strong optical absorbers or scatterers, respectively. In combination with lithography techniques, these extended assemblies can be patterned to create subwavelength NP superstructures and form large-area 2D and 3D metamaterials that manipulate the amplitude, phase, and polarization of transmitted or reflected light.

From binary AB to ternary ABC supraparticles

Control over the assembly and morphology of nanoscale functional building blocks is of great importance to hybrid and porous nanomaterials. In this paper, by combining different types of spherical nanoparticles with different size ratios in a hierarchical assembly process which allows us to control the final structure of multi-component assemblies, we discuss self-assembly of an extensive range of supraparticles, labelled as AB particles, and an extension to novel ternary particles, labelled as ABC particles. For supraparticles, the organization of small nanoparticles is known to be inherently related to the size ratio of building blocks. Therefore, we studied the formation of supraparticles prepared by colloidal self-assembly using small silica nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs) attached on the surface of large polystyrene latex nanoparticles (PSL NPs) with a wide size ratio range for complete and partial coverage, by controlling the electrostatic interactions between the organic and inorganic nanoparticles and their concentrations. In this way hierarchically ordered, stable supraparticles, either fully covered or partially covered, were realized. The partially covered, stable AB supraparticles offer the option to create ABC supraparticles of which the fully covered shell contains two different types of nanoparticles. This has been experimentally confirmed using iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles together with silica nanoparticles as shell particles on polystyrene core particles. Cryo-electron tomography was used to visualize the AB binary and ABC ternary supraparticles and to determine the three-dimensional structural characteristics of supraparticles formed under different conditions.

Optically Left-Handed Nanopearl Beads with Inductance-Capacitance Circuits at Visible-Near-Infrared Frequencies Based on Scalable Methods

Optically left-handed materials refract the propagating light in the opposite direction. Most research has focused on the design of various structures, including split-ring resonators, either on planes or in particle cluster forms to resonate with specific light frequencies. However, for particle-based materials, the circuital structures for optical left-handedness have not been fully understood and the effect of interior structure on the optical handedness have not been investigated. Additionally, scalable methods to deploy the unique characteristics of the materials have not been reported so far and are still urgent. Here, optically left-handed nanopearl beads are synthesized in up to 1.25 L solutions. Nanopearl beads contain assembled Au nanocolloids, a dielectric sphere, and a thin silica layer that fixes the assembled structures to sustainably yield unique inductance-capacitance circuits at specific visible-near-infrared frequencies. The frequencies are tunable by modulating the interior structures. Investigation of the circuit structures and Poynting vectors generated within the nanopearl beads suggest the likelihood of their left-handedness. Moreover, the effects of interior structures on the optical handedness of the nanopearl beads are extensively investigated. The results could help commercialize optically left-handed materials and pioneer fields that have not been realized so far.

Controlled Assembly of Plasmonic Nanoparticles: From Static to Dynamic Nanostructures

The spatial arrangement of plasmonic nanoparticles can dramatically affect their interaction with electromagnetic waves, which offers an effective approach to systematically control their optical properties and manifest new phenomena. To this end, significant efforts were made to develop methodologies by which the assembly structure of metal nanoparticles can be controlled with high precision. Herein, recent advances in bottom-up chemical strategies toward the well-controlled assembly of plasmonic nanoparticles, including multicomponent and multifunctional systems are reviewed. Further, it is discussed how the progress in this area has paved the way toward the construction of smart dynamic nanostructures capable of on-demand, reversible structural changes that alter their properties in a predictable and reproducible manner. Finally, this review provides insight into the challenges, future directions, and perspectives in the field of controlled plasmonic assemblies.

Vesicle Formation by the Self-Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles Covered with Fluorinated Oligo(ethylene glycol)-Terminated Ligands and Its Stability in Aqueous Solution

Water-stable gold nanoparticle vesicles (GNVs) with hollow interiors have attracted attention due to their great potential for biological applications; however, their preparation through the self-assembly approaches has been restricted due to the limited understanding of their critical mechanistic issues. In this paper, we demonstrate that a fluorinated tetra (ethylene glycol) (FTEG)-terminated tetra (ethylene glycol) (EG4), namely, FTEG-EG4, ligand can self-assemble with gold nanoparticles (5 and 10 nm) into GNVs with a hollow structure in THF due to the solvophobic feature of the ligand. Time-dependent studies showed that the GNVs with a closely packed surface derived from the incomplete and irregular GNVs, but not through the fusion of the GNV precursors. After dialysis in water, the assemblies retained vesicular structures in water, even though GNVs aggregated together, which was initiated by the hydrophobic interactions between the FTEG heads of the surface ligands on GNVs. This study provides a new insight into the design of novel small surface ligands to produce water-stable GNVs for biological applications.

Concurrent Imaging of Surface-Enhanced Raman and Mie Scattering from Built-in Nanogap Plasmonic Particles

We report a bimodal imaging method that can spatially resolve and concurrently correlate SERS and background-free Mie scattering signals. By examining two types of nanoparticle assemblies with different types of plasmonic junctions, namely raspberry-like metamolecules (raspberry-MMs) containing intraparticle nanogaps and groups of Au nanocubes forming interparticle gaps, we were able to rapidly screen SERS-active particles among the entire population of nanoparticles. Ratiometric analysis of SERS/Mie scattering revealed distinct behaviors for these intra- and interparticle nanogaps. In particular, raspberry-MMs showed a high fraction of SERS-active particles with the SERS intensity essentially insensitive to the nanoparticle aggregation state and a predictable environmental dependence. In comparison, nanocube clusters exhibited highly heterogeneous SERS/Mie scattering ratios and unpredictable intensity fluctuations but higher maximum SERS intensity. This dual-imaging approach constitutes an in situ visualization tool that enables simultaneous and stoichiometric analysis of dual signals consisting of elastic and inelastic scattering, which can significantly improve the reliability of SERS measurements.

Gold-seeded Lithium Niobate Nanoparticles: Influence of Gold Surface Coverage on Second Harmonic Properties

Hybrid nanoparticles composed of an efficient nonlinear optical core and a gold shell can enhance and tune the nonlinear optical emission thanks to the plasmonic effect. However the influence of an incomplete gold shell, i.e., isolated gold nano-islands, is still not well studied. Here LiNbO₃ (LN) core nanoparticles of 45 nm were coated with various densities of gold nano-seeds (AuSeeds). As both LN and AuSeeds bear negative surface charge, a positively-charged polymer was first coated onto LN. The number of polymer chains per LN was evaluated at 1210 by XPS and confirmed by fluorescence titration. Then, the surface coverage percentage of AuSeeds onto LN was estimated to a maximum of 30% using ICP-AES. The addition of AuSeeds was also accompanied with surface charge reversal, the negative charge increasing with the higher amount of AuSeeds. Finally, the first hyperpolarizability decreased with the increase of AuSeeds density while depolarization values for Au-seeded LN were close to the one of bare LN, showing a predominance of the second harmonic volumic contribution.

Toward Huygens' Sources with Dodecahedral Plasmonic Clusters

The design and chemical synthesis of plasmonic nanoresonators exhibiting a strong magnetic response in the visible is a key requirement to the realization of efficient functional and self-assembled metamaterials. However, novel applications like Huygens' metasurfaces or mu-near-zero materials require stronger magnetic responses than those currently reported. Our numerical simulations demonstrate that the specific dodecahedral morphology, whereby 12 silver satellites are located on the faces of a nanosized dielectric dodecahedron, provides sufficiently large electric and magnetic dipolar and quadrupolar responses that interfere to produce so-called generalized Huygens' sources, fulfilling the generalized Kerker condition. Using a multistep colloidal engineering approach, we synthesize highly symmetric plasmonic nanoclusters with a controlled silver satellite size and show that they exhibit a strong forward scattering that may be used in various applications such as metasurfaces or perfect absorbers.

Polyhedral plasmonic nanoclusters through multi-step colloidal chemistry

We describe a new approach to making plasmonic metamolecules with well-controlled resonances at optical wavelengths. Metamolecules are highly symmetric, subwavelength-scale clusters of metal and dielectric. They are of interest for metafluids, isotropic optical materials with applications in imaging and optical communications. For such applications, the morphology must be precisely controlled: the optical response is sensitive to nanometer-scale variations in the thickness of metal coatings and the distances between metal surfaces. To achieve this precision, we use a multi-step colloidal synthesis approach. Starting from highly monodisperse silica seeds, we grow octahedral clusters of polystyrene spheres using seeded-growth emulsion polymerization. We then overgrow the silica and remove the polystyrene to create a dimpled template. Finally, we attach six silica satellites to the template and coat them with gold. Using single-cluster spectroscopy, we show that the plasmonic resonances are reproducible from cluster to cluster. By comparing the spectra to theory, we show that the multi-step synthesis approach can control the distances between metallic surfaces to nanometer-scale precision. More broadly, our approach shows how metamolecules can be produced in bulk by combining different, high-yield colloidal synthesis steps, analogous to how small molecules are produced by multi-step chemical reactions.

Exploiting Colloidal Metamaterials for Achieving Unnatural Optical Refractions

The scaling down of meta-atoms or metamolecules (collectively denoted as metaunits) is a long-lasting issue from the time when the concept of metamaterials was first suggested. According to the effective medium theory, which is the foundational concept of metamaterials, the structural sizes of meta-units should be much smaller than the working wavelengths (e.g., << 1/5 wavelength). At relatively low frequency regimes (e.g., microwave and terahertz), the conventional monolithic lithography can readily address the materialization of metamaterials. However, it is still challenging to fabricate optical metamaterials (metamaterials working at optical frequencies such as the visible and near-infrared regimes) through the lithographic approaches. This serves as the rationale for using colloidal self-assembly as a strategy for the realization of optical metamaterials. Colloidal self-assembly can address various critical issues associated with the materialization of optical metamaterials, such as achieving nanogaps over a large area, increasing true 3D structural complexities, and cost-effective processing, which all are difficult to attain through monolithic lithography. Nevertheless, colloidal self-assembly is still a toolset underutilized by optical engineers. Here, the design principle of the colloidally self-assembled optical metamaterials exhibiting unnatural refractions, the practical challenge of relevant experiments, and the future opportunities are critically reviewed.

Large area Al2O3-Au raspberry-like nanoclusters from iterative block-copolymer self-assembly

In the field of functional nanomaterials, core-satellite nanoclusters have recently elicited great interest due to their unique optoelectronic properties. However, core-satellite synthetic routes to date are hampered by delicate and multistep reaction conditions and no practical method has been reported for the ordering of these structures onto a surface monolayer. Herein we show a reproducible and simplified thin film process to fabricate bimetallic raspberry nanoclusters using block copolymer (BCP) lithography. The fabricated inorganic raspberry nanoclusters consisted of a ∼36 nm alumina core decorated with ∼15 nm Au satellites after infusing multilayer BCP nanopatterns. A series of cylindrical BCPs with different molecular weights allowed us to dial in specific nanodot periodicities (from 30 to 80 nm). Highly ordered BCP nanopatterns were then selectively infiltrated with alumina and Au species to develop multi-level bimetallic raspberry features. Microscopy and X-ray reflectivity analysis were used at each fabrication step to gain further mechanistic insights and understand the infiltration process. Furthermore, grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering studies of infiltrated films confirmed the excellent order and vertical orientation over wafer scale areas of Al2O3/Au raspberry nanoclusters. We believe our work demonstrates a robust strategy towards designing hybrid nanoclusters since BCP blocks can be infiltrated with various low cost salt-based precursors. The highly controlled nanocluster strategy disclosed here could have wide ranging uses, in particular for metasurface and optical based sensor applications.

Colloidal Solutions of Silicon Nanospheres toward All-Dielectric Optical Metafluids

A colloidal solution of nanophotonic structures exhibiting optical magnetism is dubbed a liquid-phase metamaterial or an optical metafluid. Over the decades, plasmonic nanoclusters have been explored as constituents of a metafluid. However, optical magnetism of plasmonic nanoclusters is usually much weaker than the electric responses; the highest reported intensity ratio of the magnetic-to-electric responses so far is 0.28. Here, we propose an all-dielectric metafluid composed of crystalline silicon nanospheres. First, we address the advantages of silicon as a constituent material of a metafluid among major dielectrics. Next, we experimentally demonstrate for the first time that a silicon nanosphere metafluid exhibits strong electric and magnetic dipolar Mie responses across the visible to near-infrared spectral range. The intensity ratio of the magnetic-to-electric responses reaches unity. Finally, we discuss the perspective to achieve unnaturally high (>3), low, and even near-zero (<1) refractive index in the metafluid.

Preparation of new materials by ethylene glycol modification and Al(OH)3 coating NZVI to remove sulfides in water

In this study, nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) modified by ethylene glycol (EG), and then an aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)₃) film was wound on it to make a new material (EG-NZVI@Al(OH)₃), it is used to remove sulfides in water and it has greatly improved the performance of sulfide removal. At different pH values, Al(OH)₃ film can effectively improve the adsorption of sulfide by EG-NZVI @Al(OH)₃. Al(OH)₃ film can also enhance suspension stability and reduce NZVI corrosion in water. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization methods were used to prove that the NZVI was successfully modified by EG and coated by Al(OH)₃, achieved the role of protecting NZVI from being oxidized during preparation and drying, and enhanced suspension stability, chemical reactivity and longevity. The removal of sulfides in water by NZVI is mainly through the formation of surface complexes, iron mercapto oxide (FeOSH) and the precipitates of iron sulfide (FeS, FeS₂, FeS_n) adsorbed on the surface of NZVI. Al(OH)₃ film is positively charged It will cause electrostatic adsorption and adsorption on sulfur ions. EG-NZVI@Al(OH)₃ is used to remove sulfide from 2.5-50 mg/L aqueous solution. It shows the highest adsorption capacity is 175.5 mg/g. And the mechanism of adsorption is speculated.

Enantioselective manipulation of single chiral nanoparticles using optical tweezers

We put forward an enantioselective method for chiral nanoparticles using optical tweezers. We demonstrate that the optical trapping force in a typical, realistic optical tweezing setup with circularly-polarized trapping beams is sensitive to the chirality of core-shell nanoparticles, allowing for efficient enantioselection. It turns out that the handedness of the trapped particles can be selected by choosing the appropriate circular polarization of the trapping beam. The chirality of each individual trapped nanoparticle can be characterized by measuring the rotation of the equilibrium position under the effect of a transverse Stokes drag force. We show that the chirality of the shell gives rise to an additional twist, leading to a strong enhancement of the optical torque driving the rotation. Both methods are shown to be robust against variations of size and material parameters, demonstrating that they are particularly useful in (but not restricted to) several situations of practical interest in chiral plasmonics, where enantioselection and characterization of single chiral nanoparticles, each and every one with its unique handedness and optical properties, are in order. In particular, our method could be employed to unveil the chiral response arising from disorder in individual plasmonic raspberries, synthesized by close-packing a large number of metallic nanospheres around a dielectric core.

Polymer-guided assembly of inorganic nanoparticles

The self-assembly of inorganic nanoparticles is of great importance in realizing their enormous potentials for broad applications due to the advanced collective properties of nanoparticle ensembles. Various molecular ligands (e.g., small molecules, DNAs, proteins, and polymers) have been used to assist the organization of inorganic nanoparticles into functional structures at different hierarchical levels. Among others, polymers are particularly attractive for use in nanoparticle assembly, because of the complex architectures and rich functionalities of assembled structures enabled by polymers. Polymer-guided assembly of nanoparticles has emerged as a powerful route to fabricate functional materials with desired mechanical, optical, electronic or magnetic properties for a broad range of applications such as sensing, nanomedicine, catalysis, energy storage/conversion, data storage, electronics and photonics. In this review article, we summarize recent advances in the polymer-guided self-assembly of inorganic nanoparticles in both bulk thin films and solution, with an emphasis on the role of polymers in the assembly process and functions of resulting nanostructures. Precise control over the location/arrangement, interparticle interaction, and packing of inorganic nanoparticles at various scales are highlighted.

Multicomponent Plasmonic Nanoparticles: From Heterostructured Nanoparticles to Colloidal Composite Nanostructures

Plasmonic nanostructures possessing unique and versatile optoelectronic properties have been vastly investigated over the past decade. However, the full potential of plasmonic nanostructure has not yet been fully exploited, particularly with single-component homogeneous structures with monotonic properties, and the addition of new components for making multicomponent nanoparticles may lead to new-yet-unexpected or improved properties. Here we define the term "multi-component nanoparticles" as hybrid structures composed of two or more condensed nanoscale domains with distinctive material compositions, shapes, or sizes. We reviewed and discussed the designing principles and synthetic strategies to efficiently combine multiple components to form hybrid nanoparticles with a new or improved plasmonic functionality. In particular, it has been quite challenging to precisely synthesize widely diverse multicomponent plasmonic structures, limiting realization of the full potential of plasmonic heterostructures. To address this challenge, several synthetic approaches have been reported to form a variety of different multicomponent plasmonic nanoparticles, mainly based on heterogeneous nucleation, atomic replacements, adsorption on supports, and biomolecule-mediated assemblies. In addition, the unique and synergistic features of multicomponent plasmonic nanoparticles, such as combination of pristine material properties, finely tuned plasmon resonance and coupling, enhanced light-matter interactions, geometry-induced polarization, and plasmon-induced energy and charge transfer across the heterointerface, were reported. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the latest advances on state-of-art synthetic strategies, unique properties, and promising applications of multicomponent plasmonic nanoparticles. These plasmonic nanoparticles including heterostructured nanoparticles and composite nanostructures are prepared by direct synthesis and physical force- or biomolecule-mediated assembly, which hold tremendous potential for plasmon-mediated energy transfer, magnetic plasmonics, metamolecules, and nanobiotechnology.

Morphology-Tailored Gold Nanoraspberries Based on Seed-Mediated Space-Confined Self-Assembly

Raspberry-like structure, providing a high degree of symmetry and strong interparticle coupling, has received extensive attention from the community of functional material synthesis. Such structure constructed in the nanoscale using gold nanoparticles has broad applicability due to its tunable collective plasmon resonances, while the synthetic process with precise control of the morphology is critical in realizing its target functions. Here, we demonstrate a synthetic strategy of seed-mediated space-confined self-assembly using the virus-like silica (V-SiO₂) nanoparticles as the templates, which can yield gold nanoraspberries (AuNRbs) with uniform size and controllable morphology. The spikes on V-SiO₂ templates serve dual functions of providing more growth sites for gold nanoseeds and activating the space-confined effect for gold nanoparticles. AuNRbs with wide-range tunability of plasmon resonances from the visible to near infrared (NIR) region have been successfully synthesized, and how their geometric configurations affect their optical properties is thoroughly discussed. The close-packed AuNRbs have also demonstrated huge potential in Raman sensing due to their abundant “built-in” hotspots. This strategy offers a new route towards synthesizing high-quality AuNRbs with the capability of engineering the morphology to achieve target functions, which is highly desirable for a large number of applications.

Magnetic Plasmon Networks Programmed by Molecular Self-Assembly

Nanoscale manipulation of magnetic fields has been a long-term pursuit in plasmonics and metamaterials, as it can enable a range of appealing optical properties, such as high-sensitivity circular dichroism, directional scattering, and low-refractive-index materials. Inspired by the natural magnetism of aromatic molecules, the cyclic ring cluster of plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) has been suggested as a promising architecture with induced unnatural magnetism, especially at visible frequencies. However, it remains challenging to assemble plasmonic NPs into complex networks exhibiting strong visible magnetism. Here, a DNA-origami-based strategy is introduced to realize molecular self-assembly of NPs forming complex magnetic architectures, exhibiting emergent properties including anti-ferromagnetism, purely magnetic-based Fano resonances, and magnetic surface plasmon polaritons. The basic building block, a gold NP (AuNP) ring consisting of six AuNP seeds, is arranged on a DNA origami frame with nanometer precision. The subsequent hierarchical assembly of the AuNP rings leads to the formation of higher-order networks of clusters and polymeric chains. Strong emergent plasmonic properties are induced by in situ growth of silver upon the AuNP seeds. This work may facilitate the development of a tunable and scalable DNA-based strategy for the assembly of optical magnetic circuitry, as well as plasmonic metamaterials with high fidelity.

Plasmonics for Biosensing

Techniques based on plasmonic resonance can provide label-free, signal enhanced, and real-time sensing means for bioparticles and bioprocesses at the molecular level. With the development in nanofabrication and material science, plasmonics based on synthesized nanoparticles and manufactured nano-patterns in thin films have been prosperously explored. In this short review, resonance modes, materials, and hybrid functions by simultaneously using electrical conductivity for plasmonic biosensing techniques are exclusively reviewed for designs containing nanovoids in thin films. This type of plasmonic biosensors provide prominent potential to achieve integrated lab-on-a-chip which is capable of transporting and detecting minute of multiple bio-analytes with extremely high sensitivity, selectivity, multi-channel and dynamic monitoring for the next generation of point-of-care devices.

Self-assembled microrings of Au nanoparticle and Au nanorod clusters formed at the equators of Janus particles

A method for fabricating polymer Janus particles with microring structures at their equators has been developed. This method allows gold nanoparticles and nanorods to be aligned and densely packed along the microrings.

A method for fabricating polymer Janus particles with metal nanoparticle microring structures at their equators has been developed.

Synthesis of Spiked Plasmonic Nanorods with an Interior Nanogap for Quantitative Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Analysis

Realizing quantitative surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) analysis is extremely helpful and challenging. Here, we utilize a facile method to synthesize spiked plasmonic nanorods with an interior gap. The Raman signal from the molecules embedded in the gap can be dramatically enhanced, leading to strong, stable, and reproducible SERS signals that can be used as an internal reference for quantitative SERS analysis. We demonstrate that the rough exterior surface has a good performance in enhancing the Raman signal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules adsorbed on the surface. The result shows that this method is applicable for a large range of analyte concentrations and there is an excellent linear relationship between the SERS intensity ratio and the analyte concentration (0.5-100 μM).

Size-Defined Cracked Vesicle Formation via Self-Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles Covered with Carboxylic Acid-Terminated Surface Ligands

The self-assembly of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) into a defined structure, particularly hollow capsule structures, provides great potential for applications in materials science and medicine. However, the complexity of the parameters for the preparation of those structures through self-assembly has limited access to critical mechanistic questions. With this in mind, we have studied GNP vesicle (GNV) formation through self-assembly by the surface modification of GNPs with low-molecular-weight ligands. Here, we successfully prepared GNVs composed of GNPs with a diameter of 30 nm by surface modification with carboxylic acid-terminated fluorinated oligo(ethylene glycol) ligands (CFLs). As the carboxylic acid has two states (protonated and deprotonated), the balance of the attraction and repulsion between GNPs covered with CFLs is tunable. Sodium carboxylate-terminated fluorinated oligo(ethylene glycol) ligands (SCFLs) provided smaller GNVs than did CFLs at 0.8 × 10¹¹ NPs/mL. Time-course study revealed that CFL-covered GNPs quickly form small aggregates and gradually grow to larger GNVs (ca. 200 nm), but no gradual growth was observed for SCFL-covered GNPs. This result indicated that the electrostatic repulsion inhibits fusion of the small GNVs. The size of the GNVs formed with the aid of CFLs was independent of the initial GNP concentration, but the extinction spectra were concentration-dependent. Electron microscopy imaging and simulations supported the defect formation in the assemblies. These results provided new insights into the vesicle formation mechanism.

New trends in plasmonic (bio)sensing

The strong enhancement and localization of electromagnetic field in plasmonic systems have found applications in many areas, which include sensing and biosensing. In this paper, an overview will be provided of the use of plasmonic phenomena in sensors and biosensors with emphasis on two main topics. The first is related to possible ways to enhance the performance of sensors and biosensors based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR), where examples are given of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles, magnetoplasmonic effects and use of metamaterials for SPR sensing. The other topic is focused on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for sensing, for which uniform, flexible, and reproducible SERS substrates have been produced. With such recent developments, there is the prospect of improving sensitivity and lowering the limit of detection in order to overcome the limitations inherent in ultrasensitive detection of chemical and biological analytes, especially at single molecule levels.

DNA-Assembled Advanced Plasmonic Architectures

The interaction between light and matter can be controlled efficiently by structuring materials at a length scale shorter than the wavelength of interest. With the goal to build optical devices that operate at the nanoscale, plasmonics has established itself as a discipline, where near-field effects of electromagnetic waves created in the vicinity of metallic surfaces can give rise to a variety of novel phenomena and fascinating applications. As research on plasmonics has emerged from the optics and solid-state communities, most laboratories employ top-down lithography to implement their nanophotonic designs. In this review, we discuss the recent, successful efforts of employing self-assembled DNA nanostructures as scaffolds for creating advanced plasmonic architectures. DNA self-assembly exploits the base-pairing specificity of nucleic acid sequences and allows for the nanometer-precise organization of organic molecules but also for the arrangement of inorganic particles in space. Bottom-up self-assembly thus bypasses many of the limitations of conventional fabrication methods. As a consequence, powerful tools such as DNA origami have pushed the boundaries of nanophotonics and new ways of thinking about plasmonic designs are on the rise.

Progress and Opportunities in Soft Photonics and Biologically Inspired Optics

Optical components made fully or partially from reconfigurable, stimuli-responsive, soft solids or fluids-collectively referred to as soft photonics-are poised to form the platform for tunable optical devices with unprecedented functionality and performance characteristics. Currently, however, soft solid and fluid material systems still represent an underutilized class of materials in the optical engineers' toolbox. This is in part due to challenges in fabrication, integration, and structural control on the nano- and microscale associated with the application of soft components in optics. These challenges might be addressed with the help of a resourceful ally: nature. Organisms from many different phyla have evolved an impressive arsenal of light manipulation strategies that rely on the ability to generate and dynamically reconfigure hierarchically structured, complex optical material designs, often involving soft or fluid components. A comprehensive understanding of design concepts, structure formation principles, material integration, and control mechanisms employed in biological photonic systems will allow this study to challenge current paradigms in optical technology. This review provides an overview of recent developments in the fields of soft photonics and biologically inspired optics, emphasizes the ties between the two fields, and outlines future opportunities that result from advancements in soft and bioinspired photonics.

Selective Induction of Optical Magnetism

An extension of the Maxwell-Faraday law of electromagnetic induction to optical frequencies requires spatially appropriate materials and optical beams to create resonances and excitations with curl. Here we employ cylindrical vector beams with azimuthal polarization to create electric fields that selectively drive magnetic responses in dielectric core-metal nanoparticle "satellite" nanostructures. These optical frequency magnetic resonances are induced in materials that do not possess spin or orbital angular momentum. Multipole expansion analysis of the scattered fields obtained from electrodynamics simulations show that the excitation with azimuthally polarized beams selectively enhances magnetic vs electric dipole resonances by nearly 100-fold in experiments. Multipolar resonances (e.g., quadrupole and octupole) are enhanced 5-fold by focused azimuthally versus linearly polarized beams. We also selectively excite electric multipolar resonances in the same identical nanostructures with radially polarized light. This work opens new opportunities for spectroscopic investigation and control of "dark modes", Fano resonances, and magnetic modes in nanomaterials and engineered metamaterials.

Core-Shell Nanoparticle Clusters Enable Synergistic Integration of Plasmonic and Catalytic Functions in a Single Platform

Designing controlled hybrid nanoarchitectures between plasmonic and catalytic materials is of paramount importance to fully exploit each function of constituent materials. This study reports a new synthetic strategy for the realization of colloidal clusters of core-shell nanoparticles with plasmonic cores and catalytically active shells. The Au@M (M = Pd or Pt) nanoparticle clusters (NPCs) with a high density of sub-1 nm interparticle gaps are successfully prepared by the deposition of M shells onto thermally activated Au NPCs. NPCs with other metal, metal sulfide, and metal oxide shells can also be synthesized by using the present approach. The prepared Au@M NPCs show remarkably enhanced plasmonic performance compared to their Au@M nanoparticle counterparts due to the localization of a strong electromagnetic field at the interparticle gaps, while the inherent catalytic function of shells is intact. In situ real-time Raman spectroscopy and plasmon-enhanced electrocatalysis experiments demonstrate that the controlled assembly of core-shell nanoparticles is a very effective route for the synergistic integration of plasmonic and catalytic functions in a single platform.

Nanoscale Structural Switching of Plasmonic Nanograin Layers on Hydrogel Colloidal Monolayers for Highly Sensitive and Dynamic SERS in Water with Areal Signal Reproducibility

Developing substrates that enable both reproducible and highly sensitive Raman detection of trace amounts of molecules in aqueous systems remains a challenge, although these substrates are crucial in biomedicine and environmental sciences. To address this issue, we report spatially uniform plasmonic nanowrinkles formed by intimate contact between plasmonic nanograins on the surface of colloidal crystal monolayers. The Au or Ag nanograin layers coated on hydrogel colloidal crystal monolayers can reversibly wrinkle and unwrinkle according to changes in the water temperature. The reversible switches are directed by surface structural changes in the colloidal crystal monolayers, while the colloids repeat the hydration-dehydration process. The Au and Ag nanowrinkles are obtained upon hydration, thus enabling the highly reproducible detection of Raman probes in water at the nano- and picomolar levels, respectively, throughout the entire substrate area. Additionally, the reversible switching of the nanostructures in the plasmonic nanograin layers causes reversible dynamic changes in the corresponding Raman signals upon varying the water temperature.

Assembly of "3D" plasmonic clusters by "2D" AFM nanomanipulation of highly uniform and smooth gold nanospheres

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanomanipulation has been viewed as a deterministic method for the assembly of plasmonic metamolecules because it enables unprecedented engineering of clusters with exquisite control over particle number and geometry. Nevertheless, the dimensionality of plasmonic metamolecules via AFM nanomanipulation is limited to 2D, so as to restrict the design space of available artificial electromagnetisms. Here, we show that “2D” nanomanipulation of the AFM tip can be used to assemble “3D” plasmonic metamolecules in a versatile and deterministic way by dribbling highly spherical and smooth gold nanospheres (NSs) on a nanohole template rather than on a flat surface. Various 3D plasmonic clusters with controlled symmetry were successfully assembled with nanometer precision; the relevant 3D plasmonic modes (i.e., artificial magnetism and magnetic-based Fano resonance) were fully rationalized by both numerical calculation and dark-field spectroscopy. This templating strategy for advancing AFM nanomanipulation can be generalized to exploit the fundamental understanding of various electromagnetic 3D couplings and can serve as the basis for the design of metamolecules, metafluids, and metamaterials.

Robust raspberry-like metallo-dielectric nanoclusters of critical sizes as SERS substrates

Raspberry-like nano-objects made of large plasmonic satellites (>10 nm) covering a central dielectric particle have many potential applications as photonic materials, superlenses and (bio-) sensors, but their synthesis remains challenging. Herein, we show how to build stable and robust raspberry-like nano-systems with close-packed satellites, by combining monodisperse silica particles (80 or 100 nm diameter) and oppositely charged noble metal nanoparticles (Au or Ag) with well-defined sizes (10-50 nm). The spectral characteristics of their associated plasmonic resonances (wavelength, linewidth, extinction cross-section) and the electromagnetic coupling between satellites were observed using the spatial modulation spectroscopy technique and interpreted through a numerical model. The composite nano-objects exhibit numerous hot spots at satellite junctions, resulting in excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance. The SERS efficiency of the raspberry-like clusters is highly dependent on their structure.

Self-Assembled Raspberry-Like Core/Satellite Nanoparticles for Anti-Inflammatory Protein Delivery

Functional proteins are very promising for protein therapeutics; however, effective delivery of therapeutic proteins remains challenging. Herein, we developed novel core/satellite nanoparticles by tethering therapeutic proteins to the core/shell polymeric particle surface through cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8])-mediated host-guest interactions. The effectiveness of the core/satellite nanoparticles as protein carrier was demonstrated through the intra-articular delivery of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). We showed that IL-1Ra can effectively self-assemble onto the surface of the polymeric nanoparticles and maintained good protein bioactivity by inhibiting IL-1-mediated signaling. More importantly, in vivo results revealed that IL-1Ra-bounded core/satellite nanoparticles could significantly increase the retention time of IL-1Ra in the rat stifle joint compared to soluble IL-1Ra, which could greatly improve the efficacy of IL-1Ra. These results indicate that the facile host-guest self-assembly can be exploited as an effective approach for realizing the therapeutic potential of proteins.

STEM/EELS Imaging of Magnetic Hybridization in Symmetric and Symmetry-Broken Plasmon Oligomer Dimers and All-Magnetic Fano Interference

Negative-index metamaterials composed of magnetic plasmon oligomers are actively being investigated for their potential role in optical cloaking, superlensing, and nanolithography applications. A significant improvement to their practicality lies in the ability to function at multiple distinct wavelengths in the visible part of spectrum. Here we utilize the nanometer spatial-resolving power of electron energy-loss spectroscopy to conclusively demonstrate hybridization of magnetic plasmons in oligomer dimers that can achieve this goal. We also show that breaking the dimer's symmetry can induce all-magnetic Fano interferences based solely on the interplay of bright and dark magnetic modes, allowing us to further tailor the system's optical responses. These features are engineered through the design of the oligomer's underlying nanoparticle elements as elongated Ag nanodisks with spectrally isolated long-axis plasmon resonances. The resulting magnetic plasmon oligomers and their hybridized assemblies establish a new design paradigm for optical metamaterials with rich functionality.

Protein-Assisted Assembly of Modular 3D Plasmonic Raspberry-like Core/Satellite Nanoclusters: Correlation of Structure and Optical Properties

We present a bottom-up assembly route for a large-scale organization of plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) into three-dimensional (3D) modular assemblies with core/satellite structure. The protein-assisted assembly of small spherical gold or silver NPs with a hydrophilic protein shell (as satellites) onto larger metal NPs (as cores) offers high modularity in sizes and composition at high satellite coverage (close to the jamming limit). The resulting dispersions of metal/metal nanoclusters exhibit high colloidal stability and therefore allow for high concentrations and a precise characterization of the nanocluster architecture in dispersion by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Strong near-field coupling between the building blocks results in distinct regimes of dominant satellite-to-satellite and core-to-satellite coupling. High robustness against satellite disorder was proved by UV/vis diffuse reflectance (integrating sphere) measurements. Generalized multiparticle Mie theory (GMMT) simulations were employed to describe the electromagnetic coupling within the nanoclusters. The close correlation of structure and optical property allows for the rational design of core/satellite nanoclusters with tailored plasmonics and well-defined near-field enhancement, with perspectives for applications such as surface-enhanced spectroscopies.

Direct Fabrication of Monodisperse Silica Nanorings from Hollow Spheres - A Template for Core-Shell Nanorings

We report a new type of nanosphere colloidal lithography to directly fabricate monodisperse silica (SiO2) nanorings by means of reactive ion etching of hollow SiO2 spheres. Detailed TEM, SEM, and AFM structural analysis is complemented by a model describing the geometrical transition from hollow sphere to ring during the etching process. The resulting silica nanorings can be readily redispersed in solution and subsequently serve as universal templates for the synthesis of ring-shaped core-shell nanostructures. As an example we used silica nanorings (with diameter of ∼200 nm) to create a novel plasmonic nanoparticle topology, a silica-Au core-shell nanoring, by self-assembly of Au nanoparticles (<20 nm) on the ring's surface. Spectroscopic measurements and finite difference time domain simulations reveal high quality factor multipolar and antibonding surface plasmon resonances in the near-infrared. By loading different types of nanoparticles on the silica core, hybrid and multifunctional composite nanoring structures could be realized for applications such as MRI contrast enhancement, catalysis, drug delivery, plasmonic and magnetic hyperthermia, photoacoustic imaging, and biochemical sensing.

A facile strategy to fabricate covalently linked raspberry-like nanocomposites with pH and thermo tunable structures

A simple and controllable route to prepare covalently bonded raspberry-like composite particles with pH and thermal dual-responsiveness.

Self-Organization of Gold Nanoparticle Assemblies with 3D Spatial Order and Their External Stimuli Responsiveness

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) with pyridyl end-capped polystyrenes (PS-4VP) as "quasi-monodentate" ligands self-assemble into ordered PS-4VP/AuNP nanostructures with 3D hexagonal spatial order in the dried solid state. The key for the formation of these ordered structures is the modulation of the ratio AuNP versus ligands, which proves the importance of ligand design and quantity for the preparation of novel ordered polymer/metal nanoparticle conjugates. Although the assemblies of PS-4VP/AuNP in dispersion lack in high dimensional order, strong plasmonic interactions are observed due to close contact of AuNP. Applying temperature as an external stimulus allows the reversible distortion of plasmonic interactions within the AuNP nanocomposite structures, which can be observed directly by naked eye. The modulation of the macroscopic optical properties accompanied by this structural distortion of plasmonic interaction opens up very interesting sensoric applications.

Toward high throughput optical metamaterial assemblies

Optical metamaterials have unique engineered optical properties. These properties arise from the careful organization of plasmonic elements. Transitioning these properties from laboratory experiments to functional materials may lead to disruptive technologies for controlling light. A significant issue impeding the realization of optical metamaterial devices is the need for robust and efficient assembly strategies to govern the order of the nanometer-sized elements while enabling macroscopic throughput. This mini-review critically highlights recent approaches and challenges in creating these artificial materials. As the ability to assemble optical metamaterials improves, new unforeseen opportunities may arise for revolutionary optical devices.

Tunable synthesis of self-assembled cyclic peptide nanotubes and nanoparticles

While tremendous efforts have been made in investigating scalable approaches for fabricating nanoparticles, less progress has been made in scalable synthesis of cyclic peptide nanoparticles and nanotubes, despite their great potential for broader biomedical applications. In this paper, tunable synthesis of self-assembled cyclic peptide nanotubes and nanoparticles using three different methods, phase equilibrium, pH-driven, and pH-sensitive methods, were proposed and investigated. The goal is scalable nanomanufacturing of cyclic peptide nanoparticles and nanotubes with different sizes in large quality by controlling multiple process parameters. Cyclo-(L-Gln-D-Ala-L-Glu-D-Ala-)2 was applied to illustrate the proposed ideas. In the study, mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography were employed to verify the chemical structures and purity of the cyclic peptides. Morphology and size of the synthesized nanomaterials were characterized using atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The dimensions of the self-assembled nanostructures were found to be strongly influenced by the cyclic peptide concentration, side chain modification, pH values, reaction time, stirring intensity, and sonication time. This paper proposed an overall strategy to integrate all the parameters to achieve optimal synthesis outputs. Mechanisms of the self-assembly of the cyclic peptide nanotubes and nanoparticles under variable conditions and tunable parameters were discussed. This study contributes to scalable nanomanufacturing of cyclic peptide based self-assembled nanoparticles and nanotubes for broader biomedical applications.

Spontaneous structure transition in nanoparticle aggregates: from amorphous clusters to super-crystals

Spontaneous structure transition is studied in a real NP system, which reveals some important details of this transition.