Multi-Functional Polymer-Nanoparticle Composites for Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Applications
Research Mentor(s)
Steven Emory
Description
Microgel particles, comprised of 2-vinyl pyridine (P2VP) and styrene, are explored as pH-responsive scaffolds to assemble metallic nanoparticles (NPs) for surface-enhanced Raman scattering applications (SERS) based detection strategies. SERS is a highly sensitive spectroscopic technique for analyzing simple molecular mixtures to complex collections of molecules or biological structures. The high sensitivity of SERS arises from the enhancement of Raman scattering cross sections of molecules adsorbed to roughened metal surfaces, such as a metallic NP. Anchoring SERS-active NPs to polymer substrates has been explored as a method for improving reproducibility of the SERS enhancement phenomenon. Microgels of P2VP are promising candidates for such a role because of the multifunctionality of the pyridine residues throughout the macromolecule network. We will present a study of the synthesis of a sterically-stabilized latex copolymer microgel of polystyrene (PS) and P2VP whos dimensions can be monitored through acid-base titration and dynamic light scattering. Loading the copolymer microgel with gold NPs is also described. The gold-loaded NP microgels exhibit strong SERS-activity that can be used to sense local chemical environments through changes in observed spectra of adsorbed reporter molecules. These microgel-NP composites are characterized, and their pH-responsive behavior is demonstrated to be reversible at the single-particle level.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2022
End Date
May 2022
Location
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Department
CSE - Chemistry
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Multi-Functional Polymer-Nanoparticle Composites for Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Applications
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Microgel particles, comprised of 2-vinyl pyridine (P2VP) and styrene, are explored as pH-responsive scaffolds to assemble metallic nanoparticles (NPs) for surface-enhanced Raman scattering applications (SERS) based detection strategies. SERS is a highly sensitive spectroscopic technique for analyzing simple molecular mixtures to complex collections of molecules or biological structures. The high sensitivity of SERS arises from the enhancement of Raman scattering cross sections of molecules adsorbed to roughened metal surfaces, such as a metallic NP. Anchoring SERS-active NPs to polymer substrates has been explored as a method for improving reproducibility of the SERS enhancement phenomenon. Microgels of P2VP are promising candidates for such a role because of the multifunctionality of the pyridine residues throughout the macromolecule network. We will present a study of the synthesis of a sterically-stabilized latex copolymer microgel of polystyrene (PS) and P2VP whos dimensions can be monitored through acid-base titration and dynamic light scattering. Loading the copolymer microgel with gold NPs is also described. The gold-loaded NP microgels exhibit strong SERS-activity that can be used to sense local chemical environments through changes in observed spectra of adsorbed reporter molecules. These microgel-NP composites are characterized, and their pH-responsive behavior is demonstrated to be reversible at the single-particle level.