Spatial control of chemical processes on nanostructures through nano-localized water heating

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10946
• Publication Date: 2016-03-10T10:35:17Z
• Authors: Calum Jack; Affar S. Karimullah; Ryan Tullius; Larousse Khosravi...; Marion Rodier; Brian Fitzpatrick; Laurence D. Barron; Nikolaj Gadegaard; Adrian J. Lapthorn; Vincent M. Rotello; Graeme Cooke; Alexander O. Govorov; Malcolm Kadodwala
• Keywords: Nanophotonics; Nanomaterials

Abstract Optimal performance of nanophotonic devices, including sensors and solar cells, requires maximizing the interaction between light matter. This efficiency is optimized when active moieties are localized in areas where electromagnetic (EM) fields confined. Confinement matter these ‘hotspots’ has previously been accomplished through inefficient ‘top-down’ methods. Here we report a rapid ‘bottom-up’ approach to functionalize selective regions plasmonic nanostructures that uses nano-localized heating surrounding water induced by pulsed laser irradiation. exploited chemical protection/deprotection strategy allow nanostructure be chemically modified. As an exemplar, use enhance biosensing capabilities chiral substrate. novel spatially functionalization provides new opportunities for efficient high-throughput control chemistry on nanoscale over macroscopic device fabrication.