Hydrogel-based active plasmonics

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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Kemian tekniikan korkeakoulu | Master's thesis
Author
Date
2023-08-22
Department
Major/Subject
Fiber and Polymer Engineering
Mcode
CHEM3024
Degree programme
Master's Programme in Chemical, Biochemical and Materials Engineering
Language
en
Pages
74 + 9
Series
Abstract
Hydrogel-based active plasmonics is an emerging field with extensive scope for innovative research and practical applications in various areas such as biosensing, soft robotics and actuators, and optical displays. Upon integration of plasmonic systems into responsive hydrogel matrices, researchers can fabricate smart nanocomposite hydrogels with tunable optical properties. Considering its potential, limited research has been conducted on understanding the optical properties of hydrogel-based plasmonic systems. This thesis aimed to fabricate, investigate and modulate the optical properties of a plasmonic nanocomposite hydrogel when subjected to mechanical stretching. The nanocomposite hydrogel matrix was successfully synthesized using a copolymer system of acrylamide and sodium acrylate, incorporated with DNA-gold nanorod- based (FAuNR-DNAo) plasmonic assemblies through photopolymerization. The stability of the FAuNR-DNAo complexes under different experimental conditions, such as the presence of photosensitive agents and UV exposure, was studied using circular dichroism and UV-visible spectroscopy. α-ketoglutaric acid was identified as an effective photoinitiator for further nanocomposite hydrogel studies. The optical responses of the nanocomposite hydrogels were evaluated using CD spectroscopy. The challenges associated with measuring complex, chiral, and anisotropic systems are thoroughly discussed. This research opens up exciting possibilities for designing multifunctional materials with tailored optical properties and stimuli-responsive behaviours. It also provides a foundation for future investigations and advancements in this multidisciplinary field, paving the way for technological breakthroughs in the fields of nanophotonics, biosensing, dynamic colour displays, and responsive actuators.
Description
Supervisor
Kuzyk, Anton
Thesis advisor
Kuzyk, Anton
Keywords
nanocomposite hydrogels, active plasmonics, DNA nanotechnology, circular dichroism spectroscopy
Other note
Citation
Permanent link to this item
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202309035562
Collections
[dipl] Kemian tekniikan korkeakoulu / CHEM