One Strategy for Nanoparticle Assembly onto 1D, 2D, and 3D Polymer Micro and Nanostructures

The integration of nanoparticles (NPs) into photonic devices and plasmonic sensors requires selective patterning of these NPs with fine control of their size, shape, and spatial positioning. In this article, we report on a general strategy to pattern different types of NPs. This strategy involves the functionalization of photopolymers before their patterning by two-photon laser writing to fabricate micro-and nanostructures that selectively attract colloidal NPs with suitable ligands, allowing their precise immobilization and organization even within complex 3D structures. Monolayers of NPs without aggregations are obtained and the surface density of NPs on the polymer surface can be controlled by changing either the time of immersion in the colloidal solution or the type of amine molecule chemically grafted on the polymer surface. Different types of NPs (gold, silver, polystyrene, iron oxide, colloidal quantum dots, and nanodiamonds) of different sizes are introduced showing a potential toward nanophotonic applications. To validate the great potential of our method, we successfully demonstrate the integration of quantum dots within a gold nanocube with high spatial resolution and nanometer precision. The promise of this hybrid nanosource of light (plasmonic/polymer/QDs) as optical nanoswitch is illustrated through photoluminescence measurements under polarized exciting light.

Automated summary

The article introduces a general strategy for patterning different types of nanoparticles, allowing precise immobilization and organization even within complex 3D structures. By controlling the position and density of nanoparticles within photopolymer, potential applications in nanophotonics are shown. Successful integration of quantum dots within a gold nanocube demonstrates high spatial resolution and nanometer precision, highlighting the potential of this hybrid nanosource of light.