title: Gold nanoparticle networks with photoresponsive interparticle spacings.
abstract: Photoresponsive gold nanoparticle networks were prepared by functionalizing them with azobenzene derivatives. A network can be formed when a linker molecule constituting the azobenzene moiety suitably derivatized on either side with gold surface sensitive groups such as thiols and amines is added to the nanoparticle solution. It is shown that the interparticle spacing in the networks could be controlled by the reversible trans-cis isomerization of the azobenzene moiety induced by UV and visible light, respectively. The photoinduced variation in the interparticle spacings is inferred by the changes in the optical spectra of the gold nanoparticles which display a red or blue shift in the surface plasmon resonance peak depending on a decrease or increase in the interparticle spacing, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy images are in consonance with the evidence from the optical spectra.
authors.affiliation: Nanoscience Group, Materials Chemistry Division, and Combi Chem-Bio Resource Center, Division of Organic Chemistry: Synthesis, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411 008, India.
authors.forename: Deepti S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Sidhaye
authors.forename: Sudhir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kashyap
authors.forename: Murali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sastry
authors.forename: Srinivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hotha
authors.forename: B L V
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Prasad
mesh_terms: D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D015394:Molecular Structure; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D010777:Photochemistry; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance; D013499:Surface Properties; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D006046:Gold; C009850:azobenzene