This study describes the preparation and characterization of stable spherical or anisotropic gold nanoparticle modified poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanoparticles.  The structural and optically responsive properties of these nanocomposites were thoroughly examined by electron microscope, UV-visible spectrophotometer, Zeta potential, and dynamic light scattering.  Unlike other polymer-gold nanocomposites, these nanoparticles exhibited high stability under various temperatures and/or pHs.  Their rapid responsiveness to light irradiation resulted in significant volume changes of the nanocomposites which were also monitored by distinctive changes of the absorption bands.  Subsequently, these nanoparticles were tested in a simple chemical reduction, whose reactivity was substantially controlled by the presence or absence of light irradiation.  The stimuli induced tunable chemical reaction of these nanocomposites can lead to the development of a novel nanoscale chemical reactor.

Structural volume changes of gold-polymer nanocomposites upon light irradiation

246th National Meeting (2013)

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