Nanostructure Synthesis

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Custom Core-Alloy Nanostructure Synthesis This invention introduces a method to customize the physical and optical properties of metal nanoparticles. A nanoparticle core of one metal is processed under precisely-defined hydrothermal conditions with a second metal to produce a nanoparticle with a core-alloy-shell or core-alloy nanostructure. The nanoparticle’s properties can thereby be customized to fit a desired application. Technology Overview Metal nanoparticles have the ability to transmit light through a phenomenon known as surface plasmon resonance. Many technologies and applications utilize these optical properties. Plasmonics is a growing field of research that involves tailoring the optical properties of metallic nanostructures, specifically, the color of and intensity of light they absorb and transmit. Traditionally, the only way to tailor these optical properties was to manipulate the nanoparticle’s size or shape. These manipulations, however, do not allow the optical properties to be engineered with reliable precision or consistency without significantly altering morphology, which can greatly limit their use. This invention provides a method for tailoring the optical properties of metal nanoparticles by processing the particles into precisely-defined “core-alloy-shell” or "core-alloy" structures. The method consists of two steps. First, a pre-synthesized nanoparticle “core” is heated in the presence of another solute material. The solute material is thereby deposited onto the core, forming an initial “core-shell” structure. Second, further heating causes the solute material shell to diffuse into the core through atomic diffusion, resulting in a core-alloy-shell or core-alloy nanostructure. The process can be repeated for layer-by-layer shell addition to tune alloy composition, or shell thickness, thereby altering plasmon properties. Manipulation of the alloy interface is a fundamentally novel technique for tailoring the optical properties of nanoparticles. Heating through microwave irradiation and hydrothermal method allows the researcher to precisely tailor the alloy composition, the shell thickness, and the ratio of the core and shell dimensions. The physical and optical properties can thereby be customized to fit a range of applications. Advantages Nanoparticles with customizable morphology and nanostructure Nanoparticles with customizable plasmon resonance ranging from UV to nIR Novel synergistic physical, catalytic, and optical properties Limitations no limitations available. Other Information Inventors: Mathew Maye, http://chemistry.syr.edu/faculty/maye.html; Peter Njoki; Wenjie Wu; Hyunjoo Han Suggested Uses Medical imaging, biosensing (e.g. disease reporting) Plasmonics (e.g. light signaling, nanoscale antennae) Optical data transfer (e.g. nanoelectronics, quantum computing) Energy transfer (e.g. solar collectors and concentrators) Structural reinforcement (e.g. stronger, lighter building materials) Development Stage academic research Technology Sectors Biotechnology Health and Safety Nanotechnology Systems Engineering Diagnostic Engineering Imaging Process/Procedure Medical Energy Materials Optics Tags energy innovation File Number 100648 IP Protection no associated IP specified Publications no available publications specified