One shot fabrication and self-assembly of nanoparticles into metal rings for sensing applications

Abstract : Self-assembly refers to the process by which NanoParticles (NPs) or other discrete components spontaneously organize due to direct specific interactions and/or indirectly, through their environment. Basically, the desired NPs are added to a functionalized block copolymer or macromolecules such as biological macromolecules (DNA), supramolecular systems... and mixed with a suitable solvent. This approach requires the use of well controlled composition and structure of the polymer matrix and the functionalization of both polymer and NPs. We investigate here an original and simple approach to obtain, by one pot fabrication, self-assembled nanoparticules strongly anchored to the surface and particularly interesting for detection and sensing. By mixing a couple of judicious metallic salt/non-solvent to a homopolymer dissolved in a well selected solvent, micro-nanodomains of self-assembled NPs are obtained onto a conductive substrate.