Core-shell Plasmonic Nanoparticle Lattices

Functional materials with precise sizes and structures are the key building blocks of modern technology. The complexity of unsolved global issues requires materials with unprecedented functionalities that can only be met by the rational and revolutionary design of structures at the nanoscale. The long-term goal of my future research is to develop novel structured nanomaterials for energy conversion, environment sustainability, and human health, focusing on smart materials, green processes, and novel biosensors. Plasmonic nanoparticle (NP) lattices – metal NPs in two-dimensional periodic arrays – are particularly promising for the aforementioned applications because of their strong and tunable resonances under light. Nearly all plasmonic NP lattices to date are composed of single-material metals (e.g., Ag or Au); however, the collective response could be extended to multi-modal function with the design of multi-material NP lattices. I propose to develop core-shell plasmonic NP lattices by the controllable coating of nanometer-thin functional layers on metal NPs that will result in programable light-matter interactions. The two objectives of this proposal are: (1) Determining how molecular assembly around Cu-graphene core-shell NP lattices can tune properties (2) Developing Cu-Pt core-shell plasmonic NP lattices as effective photocatalysis under near-infrared light