Hierarchical Assembly of Plasmonic Nanoparticles

Resum

This chapter summarizes advances in the ordering of plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) over extended areas on solid substrates. NPs made of gold and silver display exciting optical properties in the visible region due to localized surface plasmon resonances that can be precisely tuned through variations in particle shape and size. The spotlight is focused on techniques based on using templates that control liquid flows or direct chemical interactions. After a short description of template-free techniques, the chapter describes methods to achieve 1D and 2D assemblies. It presents advances in shaping 3D plasmonic materials. The chapter focuses on methods used to create plasmonic structures from patterned substrates, rather than on the fabrication of the substrate itself. Among the various nanofabrication methods, soft lithography comprises a family of techniques that allow the replication of a predefined structure by using an inexpensive elastomeric material.