Nanomaterials for optical applications: luminescent nanoparticles and the organization of nanoparticles in polymer matrices

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The long term objective of this research program is the development of new materials with unique optical properties. Research will focus on the investigation of luminescent nanoparticles, plasmon coupling in ordered arrays of metal nanoparticles and metal enhanced fluorescence. Two types of luminescent particles will be considered: nanocrystals of lanthanide salts and doped polymer particles. Future research will also focus on the development of strategies for controlling the incorporation and organisation of nanoparticles within polymers. This research will be divided into two parts. The first involves the fabrication of ordered two-dimensional nanoparticles arrays on block copolymer templates. In such systems, phase separation at the molecular level can lead to highly ordered patterned surfaces exhibiting domain sizes that are related to the molecular weight of the constituent blocks. The proposed research will involve the study of the organisation of metal nanoparticles within these ordered structures. The second hybrid system involves the incorporation of nanoparticles (metal and magnetic) within polymer nanoparticles prepared by emulsion polymerisation. This route is particularly attractive for the incorporation of duel functionality within a single particle. For example, particles doped with both metallic particles and a luminescent species will be prepared for the study of plasmon enhanced fluorescence. An important unifying theme of the proposed program is the introduction of functional nanoparticles into polymer matrices. It is therefore hoped that the research will provide insight into the preparation of such hybrid materials that reaches beyond the specific systems targeted here.