Method for refractive index measurement of nanoparticles

A new method of measuring the refractive indices of nanoparticles has been proposed based on refractive index matching between nanoparticles and surrounding organic solvents. By finding the most transparent point of the transmittance spectrum, the refractive index of the nanoparticles is equal to that of the solvents at the corresponding wavelength. Utilizing a Rayleigh scattering model, the effects of refractive index mismatching (Delta n) on the transmittance are investigated under different conditions. Some criteria for getting highly transparent nanoparticle dispersion and accurate refractive index measurements are suggested, which can support practical applications for nanomaterials in optical and optoelectronic applications. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America