Utilizing Hybrid Plasmon Modes to Probe Nanoparticle-Polymer Interfaces

Nanoparticle-polymer composite materials have widespread applications in fields such as: sensing, electronics, and biology, due to their desirable physical properties. However, many fabrication techniques render little control over nanoparticle incorporation, and homogeneity of the resulting material. This thesis focuses on the thermally induced embedding of silver nanocubes (AgNCs) into polymer surfaces. The AgNCs were deposited onto polymer films, through a Langmuir approach, which allows fine control over nanoparticle density in the monolayer. The AgNC monolayer was then heated above the glass transition temperature of the polymer, which facilitates the irreversible incorporation of the AgNCs into the polymer. Embedding of the AgNCs were monitored in real-time, through spatially separated hybrid plasmonic resonances supported by the AgNCs when deposited onto the polymer film, which allowed the determination of a surface layer on top of the bulk polymer with enhanced mobility as well as diffusion constants for the embedding process.