Temperature-Responsive P(MEO2-MA) Polymer Brushes for SERS Applications


ÖZKAN HÜKÜM K., DEMİREL G., ÇAYKARA T.

16th NANOSCIENCE & NANOTECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE, Ankara, Turkey, 5 - 08 September 2022, pp.309

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
  • City: Ankara
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.309
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a versatile technique which can be utilized in varying fields including

environmental protection, medical diagnostic, and homeland security. The enhancement mechanism in SERS mainly relies on

the electrical field magnification through the excitation of localized surface plasmon resonances of the underlying SERS-active

materials. However, the uncontrolled aggregation of plasmonic nanoparticles lead to inconsistent field enhancement and SERS

signals. To overcome this problem, temperature-sensitive polymeric materials have been proposed to control hot-spot

formations. Smart polymer brushes exhibit rapid and reversible physicochemical or conformational changes under stimuli [1-

4]. In this study, temperature sensitive poly((2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl) methacrylate [P(MEO2-MA)] brushes with sulfidryl end

group on Si(001) surfaces were synthesized through interface-mediated RAFT polymerization technique. The fabricated

platforms were then modified with gold nanoparticles having 20 nm of size. Raman signal enhancement ability of the platforms

were evaluated using 10-3 M aqueous solutions of methylene blue, malachite green and crystal violent dyes at different

temperatures (below and above phase transition temperature). The obtained data indicate that SERS ability of the platforms

can be manipulated using temperature-responsive polymer brushes.