Plasmonic Nanostructures with Addressable Hotspots

Tailored materials that are assembled from nanoscale building blocks play a crucial role in current science and technology and represent a cornerstone in highly multidisciplinary arena of materials research. Among them, metallic nanoparticles represent an important class of nanomaterials as they offer unique optical properties associated with the phenomenon of localized surface plasmon resonance. It originates from the coupled collective oscillations of electron density, which allow for tight confinement of electromagnetic field and serve in many applications including biosensing, photo-triggering of highly-localized chemical reactions, and amplification of weak signals in optical spectroscopy such as fluorescence, infrared absorption spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. One of the important experimental challenges in designing plasmonic nanomaterials is the precise spatial control enabling selective docking of (bio)chemical species at specific nanoscale areas that are referred to as plasmonic hotspot. Only there the intense electromagnetic field of localized surface plasmons reaches its maximum and the probing of target species is most efficient. The proposed research aims at the development of a new method for the attachment of biomolecular species at plasmonic hotspots based on plasmon-enhanced multi-photon absorption and dedicated photo-crosslinkable responsive polymers and linkers. By the use of photo-crosslinkable polymers that can form responsive functional polymer networks at plasmonic hotspot, a new class of tailored plasmonic materials will be prepared. They will be composed of metallic nanoparticle assemblies with actively reconfigurable geometry and support a controlled spectrum of optically bright and dark plasmonic modes. These materials will be designed so chemical species that can serve as ligands to affinity capture selected biomolecules are probed by these modes in addresable manner. They will be implemented in advanced biosensing studies based on plasmon-enhanced fluorescence and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and benefit from active actuating of their characteristics by applied external stimuli. The main persons responsible for the project are the applicant Dr. Yevhenii Morozov and the co-applicant Dr. Jakub Dostalek (AIT).

A method has been developed for creating advanced biofunctional materials with precise control over the attachment of molecules. By harnessing the power of multiphoton crosslinking and a versatile polymer toolkit, this innovative approach opens up new possibilities for enhancing various technologies that improve our daily lives. These biofunctional materials offer potential in fields like healthcare and environmental applications, where their unique properties can greatly enhance performance. One of the remarkable features of these materials is their ability to respond to temperature changes, allowing for real-time actuation and control. Imagine devices that can adapt and respond to our body's natural heat, providing personalized and efficient functionality. This opens up new opportunities for developing smart systems and wearable technologies that seamlessly integrate with our bodies. From a scientific standpoint, this approach improves the way we study and manipulate molecular interactions at the nanoscale. By precisely controlling the distance between molecules and nanostructures, we can gain valuable insights into biosensing, single-molecule interactions, and other cutting-edge research areas. The method gives scientists an opportunity to probe and understand the intricate world of molecular interactions with advanced precision. The results obtained through this project serve as a springboard for the development of a new generation of multifunctional nanomaterials. By combining biofunctionality, thermoresponsiveness, and precise control over molecular attachment, they are paving the way for the creation of highly versatile materials that will hopefully shape the future of technology and scientific exploration.